Rangers were nine points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic on Christmas Day.
They won the Old Firm derby just over a week later.
Yet somehow their situation is already absurdly worse than it was just a fortnight ago.
After the draw against Dundee on Thursday – the eighth time in 11 away games that Rangers have dropped points – Celtic are now 15 points clear.
Just 10 days into the new year, an important resolution awaits Ibrox chief executive Patrick Stewart as more questions arise for manager Philippe Clement and his inconsistent players.
How bad is their away form?
“Scandalous.”
That’s how former Rangers striker Billy Dodds described his former club’s efforts away from Ibrox in the Championship this season. Oddly enough, they seem to be doing well in Europe.
But in 11 Premiership games they have won just three – at Dundee United, St Johnstone and Ross County. And two of them were by a solitary goal.
“It’s horrible for a club of Rangers’ stature,” Dodds added on BBC Sportsound. “You don’t challenge, let alone win a title with this form.”
After the match, manager Clément agreed. It’s hard not to when his team only collected 13 points out of a possible 33 on their travels.
Perhaps more than anything, this illustrates the point…
Prior to their Boxing Day victory at Dens, Ross County had not won an away game for over 15 months. Two weeks later, they now have only one point less (12) away from home than Rangers this season.
Is time running out for Clément?
“It’s done. It’s now Patrick Stewart’s turn. This can’t continue, it’s impossible.”
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd pulled no punches in his post-match verdict on Sky Sports as Clement again insisted his side would come back, regroup and recover.
The Belgian coach also reaffirmed that this is a new, young team, hampered by injuries.
There’s no doubt about the latter – although Dundee have 10 first-team players themselves – but Clement has been putting his team together for over a year.
Growing pains are no longer an excuse.
So, what progress was made during Clement’s reign?
He held a piece of League Cup silverware but lost it last month in the controversial final defeat to Celtic.
When he took office in October 2023, city rivals Rangers were seven points ahead.
At this point last season, the trophy’s destination remained uncertain. Last January, Celtic Park was already integrated into the satellite navigation system.
Yes, Clement finally beat Celtic on January 2 at Ibrox but since then he has seen his team lose four points. One step forward, two steps back.
“You can talk about progress, there isn’t any,” Boyd fumes. “You completely destroyed Celtic a week ago and are struggling to gain confidence?
“There were no confidence issues before the Celtic game. It can’t be a one-off.”
Are the fans still with him?
When referee Calum Scott blew the whistle for full-time, he was in danger of being drowned out by boos from the away side at Dens Park.
On a freezing night in Dundee, the fellow travelers were kept warm by their fury, pointing in disgust and shouting from the soles of their frozen feet.
It was one of those nights they are all too accustomed to this season.
As the clock ticked down, Vaclav Cerny tried just once, but there was no sign of an attack from a Rangers side in need of a winner.
“I just don’t think the players, the manager or the fans believe they can go on and win a game like this,” former Rangers striker Rory Loy said on Sportsound.
Exasperated, angry, exhausted, whatever the predominant emotion, Clément says he shares it.
He “understands” the very strong frustration of the supporters, expressed clearly – once again – as the players left the field.
But since Christmas they have been scarred by performances against St Mirren and Motherwell and witnessed a collapse against Hibs.
Now they can add another night where their team shrank when it mattered.
Fans will now discuss what place this result leaves for their manager and their club.
So what do you think should happen next at Rangers? Give your opinion here
