Glasgow Rangers: 10 Reasons This Scottish Premier League Term Has Gone Wrong

It's been an intriguing few months for the famous Glasgow Rangers.

After enjoying a strong start to the season and leading archrivals Celtic by 15 points at one stage, the Govan side fell away sharply after losing key players to injury and coming up against several off-the-field battles.

Let's look into the top 10 things that have gone wrong at the club this term.

10. The Loss of Davie Weir

The 41-year-old defender left Rangers just over a week ago having not played for the first team at all this season.

Weir had been a stalwart of the side in the club's last three Premier League title wins, but, under new manager Ally McCoist, was frozen out of the team.

The international defender perhaps should not have been forced out of the starting 11, as his level head and decades of experience would have served the rest of the squad well.

9. Poor Quality of the Youth Players

Rangers' £14 million Murray Park facility was once touted as the training ground to churn out the superstars of tomorrow.

However, in the 11 years that it has existed, only Danny Wilson, Alan Hutton, Charlie Adam and Chris Burke have gone on to play a real role in the first team.

This season's crop of youngsters, such as Kane Hemmings, Darren Cole and Andrew Little, have been hopelessly out of their depth.

8. Rangers' Shares Suspended

It's been over a month since shares in the football club were suspended.

The action was taken after Rangers submitted audited accounts leading up to June 30, 2011, and this has caused a slight panic amongst an already troubled support.

The club also told the stock exchange that it is considering withdrawing its listing in the future.

7. Steven Whittaker's Injury

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Rangers have missed Steven Whittaker.

On-loan Gunner Kyle Bartley has tried to slot in at right-back in the absence of the former Hibs man, but has been found out on several occasions as the side surrendered their place at the top of the SPL.

A hernia operation has kept the 27-year-old sidelined, but the Rangers' support are hoping he makes a speedy recovery.

6. Ally McCoist's Tactics

Super Ally has come under fire in recent weeks for his tactical nous, or lack thereof.

In last weekend's match against Dundee United, McCoist fielded the duo of Salim Kerkar and Andrew Little up front, in what was one of the most bizarre centre-forward pairings ever seen in the history of the club.

Some of his signings have barely even featured either, which leads me onto...

5. Lack of Decent Transfers

Alejandro Bedoya, Matt McKay, Juan Manuel Ortiz.

These three players arrived in the summer amidst much pomp and fanfare, but so far, have struggled immensely.

Ortiz has already headed back to Almeria, whilst McKay and Bedoya, who have played fewer than 10 games all season combined, have been linked with moves away.

4. Craig Whyte

He was once proclaimed by the Rangers' support as the saviour of the club.

Now, however, he is little more than a laughingstock and a fraud whom many of the supporters would love to see leave.

The SFA are currently investigating whether or not he is actually fit to own the club; it was revealed in November that he had been disqualified as a director, and Brian Dempsey has warned that Whyte is planning to sell up.

Dark days lie in store for the Govan side.

3. The Ongoing Tax Case

There is now a website detailing the entire Rangers' tax case against HMRC.

To put it simply, losing the case could cost the SPL champions a whopping £49 million and could put the club into administration.

Fans are praying it doesn't happen.

2. Nikica Jelavic's Departure

After being linked with almost every Premier League under the sun, Nikica Jelavic finally joined Everton on deadline day for £5.5 million.

A war of words has broken out over whether or not the Croatian forced his way out of the club, but the fact of the matter is that without Jelavic, Rangers are at a massive disadvantage.

The former Rapid Vienna striker scored an impressive 30 goals in 45 games for the team and spearheaded last season's title charge, but having lost him to the bright lights of the Premier League and being unable to bring in a suitable replacement, Rangers have pretty much handed the SPL title to rivals Celtic.

1. Steven Naismith's Injury

This is the reason why Rangers' season has fallen apart.

This is the reason why Rangers' lead over Celtic has gone from 15 points ahead to four points behind.

Steven Naismith was the side's creative influence, and once he was ruled out, the team fell apart.

The goals dried up; the defence crumbled; the side lacked spark and the points gap dwindled.

Naismith's injury has been the pivotal moment of this season's SPL title race.