The Rangers' troubles did not begin under the management of Philippe Clement. But things are not getting any easier for them, that is for sure. With Aberdeen losing at the weekend, they had a chance to make up some space with at least one of the two teams ahead of them. But instead, they drew against Dundee United. The result means that Celtic have a chance to go 11 points ahead of them.
That sort of gap in November is almost unthinkable. And yet, if Celtic win away at Tynecastle Park against Hearts, it will become reality.
A reality that the Rangers fans might have a tough time facing. And one has to wonder what the future holds for Clement, as the majority of the Ibrox support already seems to have given up on him, while he continues to be linked with the Belgian national team job. It is worth pointing out that he was handed a long-term extension earlier this season.
Clement was brutally honest after his side could not win once again, dropping further points in the title race. As reported by the Daily Record, the manager said:
"The result is very frustrating, we've already lost too many points. We know we don't have credit in the bank in that way.
"The performance, the second-half I saw what I wanted to see in my team. But we have lost too many points. We are not where we want to be as a club. It's two points lost we cannot lose. Last season we won this type of game every time. Even when it was difficult we could push over the line."
Philippe Clement makes brutally honest claim as Celtic look out of reach
The only thing that the Rangers can do at this point in time is hope for a Celtic collapse in the title race. As we saw last season, that is not impossible.
The Hoops did drop points consistently for a short period of time last season to allow the Rangers back in the title race. But that does not mean that we will see a repeat of that.
On the contrary, Celtic look a lot more solid this season and have seemingly taken a step forward after a season working with Brendan Rodgers. It is hard to say the same about their rivals.