- “How on earth was he allowed to play full time?” — “Can’t Derek see that his football hurts the eye?” Angry Chris Boyd Demands Rangers Change
Chris Boyd was left visibly frustrated after Rangers’ latest disappointing performance, with the former striker launching a furious assessment of the team’s display and questioning one decision in particular that left him struggling to understand what he had witnessed.
The Rangers legend did not hold back during his live television appearance, openly expressing his frustration at what he considered another underwhelming individual performance.
For Boyd, the issue was not simply that Rangers failed to get the desired result. It was the manner in which the team played, particularly the lack of attacking sharpness and the inability to consistently threaten the opposition.
As the discussion turned towards Rangers’ starting lineup, Boyd’s frustration became increasingly obvious.
“How on earth was he allowed to play full time?” he questioned.
The former Rangers striker appeared particularly unhappy with the contribution of one player, arguing that the performance had been so ineffective that he could not understand why a substitution was not made earlier.
Boyd singles out Rangers striker
The player at the centre of Boyd’s criticism was Lawrence Shankland.
Shankland had been expected to provide Rangers with a focal point in attack, using his movement and finishing ability to give the home side a constant threat.
Instead, Boyd believed the Rangers striker struggled to influence proceedings.
The criticism was not necessarily about one missed opportunity or one isolated mistake. Rather, Boyd appeared frustrated by the overall contribution and the lack of impact in Rangers’ attacking play.
“Can’t Derek see that his football hurts the eye?” Boyd continued, directing his frustration towards Rangers manager Derek McInnes and the decision-making on the touchline.
The comments immediately sparked debate among Rangers supporters.
Some agreed with Boyd, arguing that Rangers needed considerably more from their attacking players. Others felt that singling out one player ignored the broader problems within the team, particularly the lack of creativity and midfield control.
But Boyd was not finished.
“Clearly he was playing against us”
The former Rangers star became even more animated as he continued his assessment.
“Clearly he was playing against us,” he said, highlighting just how poor he felt Shankland’s overall contribution had been.
It was a brutal assessment from someone who knows exactly what is expected from a Rangers striker.
Boyd understands the pressure that comes with leading the line at Ibrox. Rangers forwards are expected not only to score goals but also to occupy defenders, bring teammates into the game and make their presence felt when the team is struggling.
In Boyd’s view, Shankland failed to provide enough of those qualities.
And that raised the bigger question: why was he allowed to remain on the pitch for the entire match?
Boyd wants change before the next game
The strongest part of Boyd’s reaction came when the discussion moved towards what Rangers should do next.
Rather than simply criticising the performance and moving on, Boyd made it clear that he wants Rangers to make a change before their next fixture.
His message was simple: he wants Shankland out of the starting lineup.
For Boyd, Rangers cannot afford to continue with performances that leave supporters frustrated and opponents comfortable.
The former striker believes McInnes has to be willing to make difficult decisions, even when those decisions involve established players.
That could put additional pressure on Shankland ahead of Rangers’ next match.
Rangers’ attacking problems under the spotlight
The criticism comes at a time when Rangers supporters are demanding greater consistency from their team.
The club has significant expectations every season, and poor performances are quickly magnified when the result also goes against them.
Rangers need goals.
They need creativity.
And, perhaps most importantly, they need their attacking players to give the opposition defence something to worry about.
Boyd’s criticism of Shankland therefore represents a wider concern rather than simply an attack on one player.
If Rangers are to recover quickly, their attacking unit must become more dangerous.
Shankland will now have to respond on the pitch.
Pressure on Derek McInnes
The controversy also places the spotlight on McInnes.
The manager ultimately decides who starts, who comes off and who remains on the pitch.
That means Boyd’s frustration is partly directed at the Rangers dugout.
If a player is struggling, should the manager make an early change?
Should Rangers alter their attacking approach?
Or should the manager trust his striker to eventually find his rhythm?
Those are the decisions McInnes now has to make.
Boyd clearly believes the answer is obvious.
For him, continuing with the same approach would simply lead to more frustration.
Shankland now has the perfect response
Despite the criticism, Shankland still has the opportunity to answer his critics in the best possible way — on the pitch.
Football can change quickly.
One goal can transform the mood around a player, while a strong performance can silence criticism almost immediately.
Shankland therefore faces an important period.
The next Rangers fixture could provide him with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate why the manager continues to trust him.
But if another quiet performance follows, the questions surrounding his place in the starting XI will only become louder.
For now, Boyd has made his position unmistakably clear.
He believes Rangers cannot afford another performance like this.
And, most importantly, he wants McInnes to make a change before the next game.
The debate has already started among supporters.
Now everyone will be watching to see whether the Rangers manager agrees with the club legend.
