Liam Kelly’s brutally honest assessment of Rangers’ defensive shortcomings after their 3-3 draw with Hibs at Easter Road paints a stark picture of the club’s struggles this season. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, playing just his third game for the club, did not hold back in his criticism, labeling the defensive display “shocking” and calling for a collective introspection within the squad. Despite scoring three goals—an effort that should almost always result in victory—the team’s inability to close out the game has left Kelly, and undoubtedly many Rangers supporters, frustrated and angry.

Rangers’ defensive vulnerabilities have been a recurring theme, particularly away from home. With just 12 points from a possible 30 in away fixtures this season, it’s clear that consistency on the road is a major issue. For a club with ambitions of reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title, such lapses are unacceptable. Kelly’s frustration is palpable as he emphasizes that conceding three goals in any game is a failure, regardless of the circumstances. “If we score three goals in any game, we should never, ever not win the game,” he stated emphatically in his post-match interview with RangersTV.

The first goal conceded against Hibs was particularly galling for Kelly, who noted that it came at a time when Rangers were in control of the match. “We give them the first goal when they’ve got no life in the game at all. We’re completely on top, dominating strong in the game,” he said. This moment shifted the momentum in favor of Hibs, allowing them to grow into the game and ultimately capitalize on Rangers’ defensive frailties. Kelly described the goals conceded as “absolutely shocking” and a result of the team not being “strong enough defensively.” His candid admission that such mistakes took all the joy out of playing further underscores how deeply the issues have affected the team’s morale.

What’s particularly notable about Kelly’s remarks is his emphasis on collective responsibility. While he could have pointed fingers, he instead chose to include himself in the criticism, stating, “It’s a collective, obviously. I am obviously including myself in everything I say.” This approach highlights the need for unity in addressing their issues and reflects Kelly’s understanding that improvement must come from every individual in the squad, not just the defenders. He also pointed out the contributions of the attacking players, specifically Hamza, whose incredible hat-trick deserved to be matched by a more solid defensive effort.

Rangers have been hampered by injuries to key defensive players, but Kelly refused to use this as an excuse, instead focusing on the experienced players who were on the pitch and their failure to step up. “There’s a lot of good experienced players out there, including myself, and we all need to look at ourselves and do a lot better,” he remarked. His insistence that every player, from forwards to defenders, must take responsibility for the goals conceded shows a determination to instill a stronger sense of accountability within the squad.

The draw against Hibs is just the latest in a series of disappointing results for Rangers this season, particularly away from home. Despite moments of brilliance, such as Hamza’s performance, the inability to maintain defensive discipline is costing the team valuable points. Kelly’s call for improvement isn’t just about fixing individual mistakes—it’s about fostering a culture of resilience and focus that ensures such lapses don’t continue.

In a broader context, Kelly’s comments reflect the expectations and pressures that come with playing for a club like Rangers. The standards are high, and anything less than consistent excellence is deemed unacceptable. For Kelly, who is still early in his Rangers career, his willingness to speak out shows leadership and a desire to see the team reach its potential. However, words alone won’t solve the problems. The true test will be whether Rangers can translate this frustration into action, tightening their defense and ensuring that their attacking efforts are not wasted in future matches.

As the season progresses, Rangers must find solutions quickly if they are to remain competitive in the title race. Kelly’s forthright assessment should serve as a wake-up call for the entire squad. The team has shown glimpses of its quality, but without a more robust defensive foundation, they risk falling short of their ambitions once again.