In an era where football players are often discouraged from expressing their opinions publicly, it’s a breath of fresh air to occasionally revisit past memories.

Last month, Derek Johnstone celebrated his 72nd birthday. Although nearly four decades have passed since he last netted a goal for Rangers, his candid critique of the team’s performance against Motherwell was both insightful and valuable.

Initially brought in to conduct the half-time draw, the former striker didn’t hold back in delivering a frank and sharp critique of Danny Rohl’s squad’s lackluster effort up to that point.

“When you play for this club, you must give your all. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening today,” he remarked.

It’s unfortunate that Johnstone wasn’t asked for his thoughts after the match. Despite Rangers securing a narrow win with a goal from Thelo Aasgaard, the victory came in spite of, rather than because of, the efforts of Rohl’s forwards.

Youssef Chermiti rues a missed opportunity during another frustrating afternoon at Ibrox

The Portuguese striker falls to the turf after mis-controlling the ball when clean through on goal

Danny Rohl replaced Chermiti after 77 minutes of toil and must be running out of patience

Reflecting on his illustrious career, where he scored 210 goals in 546 matches for Ibrox, one could imagine Johnstone having a field day against the current opposition.

Creativity was not the issue on Saturday; Rangers fashioned 28 attempts on goal. It was the lack of quality in the forward area which was stark.

Youssef Chermiti’s display did absolutely nothing to change the view that the £8million Rangers spent to bring him from Everton is a misstep which might be without comparison.

The Portuguese had been all heavy touches, weak challenges and dismal hold-up play when Djeidi Gassama sped away on the wing in the second half and delivered the ball perfectly into his path.

With the home fans rising as one in anticipation of the all-important second goal arriving, Chermiti literally fell flat on his face. If ever a moment summed up his Rangers’ career to date — now two goals in 20 appearances — that was it.

It’s just not happened for him at his new club and nor, you expect, will it ever.

Bojan Miovski replaced Chermiti but once again failed to make a significant impact

Not that Bojan Miovski fared much better when he replaced him. The North Macedonian’s pedigree as a player cannot be questioned given what he did over several years in an Aberdeen jersey.

But it’s just not going for him right now at Ibrox. His 13-minute cameo role was another hotch-potch of mis-hit shots and wrong choices. He looks a shadow of the player he was at Pittodrie. He now also has the boo boys on his back.

You dread to think how Danilo must have shown up in training last week. Despite Chermiti and Miovski sucking the life out of supporters with their efforts in the penalty box, the Brazilian didn’t even get on the park.

Rohl was diplomatic when asked about the No 9 situation last week, but he surely cannot have been so reserved when speaking to chairman Andrew Cavenagh about the January window on Saturday morning.

Between them, Rangers’ not-so-terrific trio have netted just 10 goals in the Premiership at the midway point. That’s miles away from what’s required.

Anyone believing that’s going to change simply through Rohl’s coaching and cajoling needs to go for a lie down in a darkened room. The German simply needs a better option.

Nico Raskin appears to vent his frustration at Miovski during the laboured win over Motherwell

This, presumably, was precisely what the head coach was talking about when he implored the club’s board to be ‘brave and bold’ in the New Year.

Frankly, Rangers cannot win the title if they persist with the strikers they have. They’re not up to it. The acquisition of just one dependable front-man — even if it’s only a loan deal — might make all the difference, though.

Cavenagh won’t have needed Rohl or the blunt words of onlookers such as Johnstone to tell him that much. The frustration of seeing the side creating plenty yet failing to capitalise must surely be shared by the chairman.

Notwithstanding how difficult securing a striker is in the middle of a season, Rangers’ hierarchy has to deliver if they are to stand any chance of edging this contest across 38 matches.

There’s a case to be made that Rohl and Cavenagh should put all the eggs in one basket.

Somewhat surprisingly, given how suspect they have looked at times, the defence now boasts the best record in the Premiership with just 15 goals conceded in 18 games.

Dujon Sterling looked a composed presence and has helped to settle Rangers’ back-line

With Dujon Sterling now back in the groove and John Souttar having returned from the bench on Saturday, they have a platform to win games.

No player did more to secure the victory over Motherwell than Jack Butland, though.

The Englishman had a truly dreadful day at Tynecastle before Christmas, but he rebounded in some style by denying Lukas Fadinger and Callum Hendry before the break and Elijah Just and Hendry after it.

In football’s never-ending pantomime, you get to be the villain and the hero in the space of seven days.

Rangers were meek in the first 45 yet improved to a degree thereafter. They created more opportunities and gave up fewer the longer an entertaining joust went on.

Aasgaard was the unlikely match winner, following up and tapping home after the keeper had parried Gassama’s curler back into play.

Jens Berthel Askou was convinced his team should have had a penalty when Fadinger went down under Manny Fernandez’s challenge as they chased the equaliser. Referee David Dickinson was not so sure.

Rangers owed their win to Jack Butland, who made some big saves in a welcome return to form

It said much about Motherwell this term that they were bitterly disappointed to leave Ibrox without a point or three to show for their efforts. The outcome of a chaotic match might well have been different.

Rangers will hope that Berthel Askou’s side show more of a cutting edge when they face Celtic at Fir Park on Tuesday. Even though they were 12 points adrift after losing to Hearts last weekend, Rohl’s men were never out of the title running.

A pleasing sequence of results over the weekend has set them up perfectly for the visit of St Mirren and the trip to Celtic Park.

It’s conceivable yet unlikely that a new striker will be in the building and good to go come derby day on January 3.

As frustrating as that scenario would be, Rangers supporters would surely rather wait if it meant Rohl gets what he needs. Goodness knows they’ve seen plenty of forwards in recent times who just won’t do.