IT'S not necessarily the end of the road for Rangers.
It's entirely possible that they might still gather themselves and make something meaningful of the run-in to the line.
But, even so, it did feel like quite a moment in this two-horse race and one almighty capitulation in the Highlands yesterday as Philippe Clement's players turned in a woeful apology of a performance and got exactly what they deserved as a consequence.
Weak of will and devoid of character or purpose, they somehow went in at half-time holding a one-goal lead courtesy of an own goal bundled into the back of his own net by Ross County's Jack Baldwin.
If that felt like a travesty for the home side, they most certainly didn't dwell on it.
Rather, the team sitting second bottom of the table, responded by running all over the top of Rangers, winning every loose ball and helping themselves to three goals in the process as Clement's players allowed their bottle to crash in truly spectacular fashion.
Yes, captain James Tavernier pulled one back from the spot late in the day, but that was about his only positive contribution over the course of 98 error-strewn minutes. And even when it hit the back of the net, Tavernier didn't look even remotely like a man who truly believed he was about to dig his team out of a hole.
On the contrary, his body language was as unconvincing as his overall performance and it is starting to feel as if Tavernier's attention might be drifting someplace else just when his team needs him to be fully focused and leading from the front.
Rumours linking the 32-year-old Englishman with a big-money move to the Middle East have never fully gone away since surfacing last summer.
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I AM WAILING
I missed out on a ride with Rod on his private jet after we got spanked 6-0 by the Dutch in play-off says Hutch
WELCOME TO TREMBLY
Real are 14-time winners but Ancelotti believes Bellingham and Co will still be gripped by fear
THE CHEAP SHOTS STOPPER
Leishman proves critics wrong as he helps Darvel chase history
GOOD ON EMS
Scots keep focus to claim impressive win
A BUNCH OF FIVES
Warren and Hearn ready to do battle as sport's oldest rivalry spills over into next generation for Saudi show
When I saw my fingers lying in the machine I knew it was bad
Recycling firm fined £24,000 for health and safety failings
FRANKIE'S LAUGHING ALL WAY TO THE BANK
Comedian's firm posts £2.2m in latest accounts
MACHETE ATTACK MANIACS CAGED
Thugs hacked at victim as crony smoked ciggy
'Roy Keane ran into my head..'
Arsenal fan denies headbutting football ‘hard man'
HAPPY B-DAY
Palace date for hero, 100