Former Ibrox Star Reveals Exactly Why Rangers Have Failed to Hit the Ground Running — and How New Boss Can Finally Flip the Script
The countdown to the Scottish Premiership season is almost over. But for Rangers fans, the start of a new campaign has become a source of dread rather than excitement.
For the fifth consecutive season, Rangers will begin their league campaign away from home — a curse that has seen them fail to win on opening day since 2021.
Now, new manager Derek McInnes must break the opening-day jinx if Rangers are to stop the “small factors” working in Celtic’s favour.
The Opening Day Curse — By the Numbers
Rangers have tended to trail in the title race before the schools go back in recent seasons. The stats are damning:
· 2021/22 — 3-0 home win over Livingston (Steven Gerrard)
· 2022/23 — 2-1 away win over Livingston (Gio van Bronckhorst)
· 2023/24 — 1-0 away defeat to Kilmarnock (Michael Beale)
· 2024/25 — 0-0 away draw at Hearts (Philippe Clement)
· 2025/26 — 1-0 away defeat to Motherwell (Russell Martin)
Since Gerrard began a championship defence with a 3-0 home win over Livingston in 2021, Rangers have been forced to hit the road on day one.
Michael Beale crashed 1-0 to McInnes’ Kilmarnock and was out of a job two months later. Philippe Clement drew a blank at Hearts to kick off 2024/25 and set a downbeat tone. And the alarm bells rang when Russell Martin’s masterplan looked a misfit for a title battle straight away at Motherwell.
Now, McInnes becomes the sixth different boss in as many seasons to be in charge for the new campaign’s curtain-raiser.
What Greg Stewart Says
Former Rangers forward Greg Stewart, a member of Gerrard’s Invincibles squad of 2020/21, believes this Friday’s trip to Tannadice can flip the script.
Stewart told the Daily Record:
“You want to get off to a flier, build the confidence up and get momentum. But it’s never easy, especially if you’ve got new management and new players.”
He pinpointed the “small factors” that have worked in Celtic’s favour:
“Some of these first games have seen Rangers play on a plastic pitch and many foreign players aren’t used to that. On top of Rangers not winning, Celtic have won on opening weekend. Getting a home game is the benefit of winning the league and another one of those small factors in Celtic’s favour.”
Stewart believes McInnes’ experience of the league will benefit Rangers going into the kick-off:
“Friday night is a great game for Rangers and a mouth-watering tie for Derek. It will suit him and his team to a tee. I don’t think Dundee United looked great when I saw them in the Premier Sports Cup. Rangers should win. They’ve not got the job done on opening day for years now. But that’s where Derek’s man-management and motivation come into play. He’ll have all those stats ready to tell the players. He’ll know Rangers’ record on opening day and will want to put that right.”
The Managerial Carousel — Sixth Boss in Six Seasons
McInnes becomes the sixth different manager in as many seasons to lead Rangers on opening day.
The turnover has been staggering:
· Steven Gerrard — Left for Aston Villa
· Gio van Bronckhorst — Sacked after poor run
· Michael Beale — Sacked after two months
· Philippe Clement — Sacked after 18 months
· Russell Martin — Sacked after 17 matches
· Derek McInnes — Appointed this summer
Stewart is desperate for continuity:
“I would love for a Rangers manager to be in the job for years. There’s a need for longevity – there’s been too much change. It’s been frustrating, as a Rangers fan.”
The Man for the Job — Why McInnes Is Different
Stewart, who played under McInnes at Kilmarnock, is convinced Rangers have finally found the right man for the pressures of the Ibrox post:
“Derek has an aura. He’s a motivator and man-manager. He has everything to be a great Rangers manager.”
He added:
“If I was Derek, I wouldn’t be too worried about Europe. You obviously want to win but my main focus would be on trying to win domestic trophies.”
The Transfer Business — Smart Signings With Personality
Serbian defensive midfielder Vanja Dragojevic is the seventh summer arrival at Ibrox. Stewart is impressed by the recruitment:
“We need to add maybe on the wings. We lacked a bit of creativity there. Add another right-back and a left-footed centre-half, then we’re looking strong. But the signings have been smart and make sense – a bit of character, personality. A few have been captains at their previous clubs, which is a great sign for Rangers.”
Celtic’s Opening Day Advantage
While Rangers have struggled on opening day, Celtic have consistently won their first match.
As Stewart noted:
“Getting a home game is the benefit of winning the league and another one of those small factors in Celtic’s favour.”
This season, Celtic will host on Flag Day while Rangers travel to Tannadice — another advantage for the reigning champions.
The Tannadice Test — Can McInnes Finally Deliver?
Rangers open their campaign with a trip to Dundee United on Friday night.
Stewart is confident:
“I don’t think Dundee United looked great when I saw them in the Premier Sports Cup. Rangers should win.”
But history suggests otherwise. McInnes must break the curse and deliver an opening-day victory to set the tone for the season ahead.
What Happens Now?
1. Friday, July 31 — Rangers face Dundee United at Tannadice
2. Opening-day record — McInnes must become first boss since Gerrard to win
3. Celtic advantage — Hoops host on Flag Day while Rangers travel
4. Transfer window — McInnes still looking to add creativity and defensive cover
The Final Word
Rangers have failed to win on opening day for four seasons.
Celtic have consistently started strongly.
Now, Derek McInnes — the sixth manager in six seasons — has the chance to finally break the curse.
