Rangers aftermath: Lack of leadership becoming apparent - and a big deadline-day mistake

Introspection will be the order of the day at Ibrox and Auchenhowie as the aftermath from Old Firm defeat continues, and Rangers’ recovery begins.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst pulled few punches when deliberating on defeat post-match with Sky Sports, but there are factors the Dutchman needs to address after his maiden visit to Parkhead as manager went the way of his first east end trip as a player in 1998.

Rangers won the league that year, which the Dutchman noted and, only a point off the leaders they are far from out of the title picture and written off at peril. But the manner of the defeat, first-half in particular, should be addressed.

Without any influence or response, Rangers’ initial shock from Celtic’s relentless early blast lingered and they remained dazed by those exhaustive, and decisive, 45 minutes.

For some it is not in their nature, but those who would expect to stand up and take control at times of adversity or hostility – big characters like Allan McGregor, or on-field leaders like Connor Goldson and James Tavernier – simply didn’t, or couldn’t.

It’s more than just a shout, an encouragement or rollicking too. It’s confidence to take the ball from, or give the ball to, a team-mate at the right time – give them a break, or give them confidence.

It didn’t help that one of those go-to guys was having a particularly troublesome night with Jota on Celtic’s left, and Scott Arfield, a big-game player, was typically full of endeavour yet conversely off-colour.

Not until Ryan Jack entered play did Rangers have someone willing to take possession for any length of time, make a pass, whether productive or confidence-building, and begin to exert some element of control. By then it was too late.

It suddenly exposed the