McCall’s days now looking numbered

WHAT happens to Rangers now is not only the story of the weekend. It’s the story of the Scottish season. The ‘journey’ will either end tomorrow in a remarkable, stirring comeback. Or an ignominious, humbling defeat to a Motherwell side showing more guts and ability than anyone gave them credit for. Irrespective of what transpires in Lanarkshire, the mood music has darkened for Stuart McCall. A personable, smart coach, the former Ibrox midfielder has been telling people for weeks that he could lose the play-offs and remain manager. As of Thursday, that argument looked a little optimistic. McCall is a congenially cheery, upbeat type. Yet even he entered the media room after Thursday’s first-leg 3-1 defeat like a man who sensed his hopes of managing Rangers on a permanent basis are slipping away. The fickle, bruising nature of the Ibrox job was never more evident than it was the other night. Before the Play-Off Final first leg, supporters were warming to the idea of a McCall coronation. They saw an organisation, spirit and fitness missing earlier in the season. It made little sense to look elsewhere with weeks until the start of a new campaign. Time was moving on. The former Scotland international had his feet under the table, the football was improving and he had already drawn up a list of potential signings. By yesterday morning, when the booing died down, attitudes had hardened. It’s possible now that Rangers could pull off a great escape — Darren McGregor’s late goal offers some hope — and still change the manager. Overtures are being made to other managerial candidates. There are whispers the club is looking abroad. Consideration is also being given to a director of football. None of this bodes well for McCall. If Rangers were really convinced, they could have appointed him already. Even on a one-year deal. That potential new signings are being approached by directors — rather than the current occupant of the technical area — is also telling. There are plenty who wish McCall well and hope he lands the job. A decent, likeable man with a strong CV, he deserves a chance to lay down roots at a new club. Right now, you wouldn’t bank on that club being Rangers.