IT was the late, great Walter Smith that put forward the theory that you are never more than a couple of games away from a crisis as Rangers manager.
The current incumbent at Ibrox has found that out for himself in recent days. He will not, though, totally subscribe to the words that act as a warning, the mantra that is a way of life for those privileged to hold the position.
Successive 4-0 defeats to Celtic and Ajax have piled the pressure on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the visit of Napoli - an occasion that should have been one to savour for Rangers - now has a somewhat ominous feeling around it.
The Dutchman is usually a cool and calm operator in front of the cameras. On Tuesday evening, he was asked if there was a requirement to alter his philosophy in an attempt to change the fortunes of his side.
His answer was lengthy and passionate. Van Bronckhorst knows he needs a performance and result against Napoli and he is sure he has the blueprint to achieve that ambition and future success at Ibrox.
"No, nothing to change about philosophy," Van Bronckhorst said. "Two weeks ago we qualified for the Champions League. Everything was fine.
"Everyone was praised - about the team, about the staff, about the club. We’re doing well.
"Two defeats later it looks like we haven’t performed in the last couple of years. That’s the dynamic of football.
"I’m not changing anything about my philosophy, how I want to play. Of course there is a lot of room for improvement.
"I think the most disappointing thing about the last two games is that we didn’t perform. That’s the disappointment I have, for sure the players have it because we have talked about it. That’s something that has to change.
"Losing two games against good opponents… you don’t play every year in the Champions League. The level we’re facing in this couple of months, we have never endured that in the last 12 years.
"So, of course, it’s going to be tough. But I don’t understand why we have to put our philosophy on the side."
The manner of the losses in the last two fixtures have raised significant questions about Van Bronckhorst and the squad that he has assembled. Everyone from the boardroom from the dressing room is under pressure and under the spotlight.
Van Bronckhorst finds himself in real adversity on the eve of the Napoli clash. He is confident, though, his side will be better coming out the other side of it.
"We can go to Ajax and play with ten defenders and try and keep the zero, but we’re not improving as a team like that," Van Bronckhorst continued. "I’m sure the opponent we faced against Ajax was also for my team an experience they won’t forget.
"The big learning point is to do it different against another quality team in Napoli.
"For sure, we faced heavy defeats. We talked about it and now is the chance to get a good result.
"Playing at home for us is a big difference. Being a Rangers manager or a Rangers player, two defeats in a row is not acceptable.
"That’s something different than putting your philosophy aside. We go out with the same philosophy and try and win the game."
There has been a gradual build-up of concerns and criticisms throughout the campaign for Rangers and the thrilling wins over Union Saint-Gilloise and PSV Eindhoven haven't acted as the sparks that many expected they would.
Individual mistakes and collective failings continue to undermine Van Bronckhorst and a meeting with the side that sit top of Serie A, and that were emphatic winners over Liverpool last week, isn't exactly one that will allow Rangers to ease themselves back into their rhythm.
Van Bronckhorst said: "I think if you see the last two games the disappointment was also in the performance of the players.
"The level we reached wasn’t the level we normally have. I said before, especially the game against Ajax, when you have to compete at a higher level that you are used to it is a big difference.
"So if I look at my team last week and see the performances of my players. I can pick six or seven players who did not reach their level.
"And if you don’t have that in your team to be prepared to play against Champions League opponents, you have to reach your level as a person – as a player, also as a team – to get a result.
"If you are not at that level on the day...you saw all the results last week where big teams lost in some really big numbers, that’s the Champions League.
"We need the level of performances by players to be up, and our team level as well or we are also going to struggle versus Napoli.
"But I am confident after the week we have had, and the preparation, and of course the experience of the game last week, we will be in a much better place. But of course there’s a time to perform and that is starting at 8pm."
Rangers have shown under Van Bronckhorst's guidance just what they are capable of on the European stage, proven what can be achieved when they are at their best and Ibrox inspires them with that famous roar.
Luciano Spalletti's side sit top of Serie A and arrived in Glasgow as favourites to make it two from two in Group A. The mission is not impossible for Rangers, however.
Van Bronckhorst said: “(Victor) Osimhen is a blow for them because he’s been playing in the last few weeks. The strikers they have now are different in quality and characteristics.
“Giovanni Simeone is a different type of striker. But we have seen them play without him with (Hirving) Lozano in and out of the team.
“Of course, I know him really well from his time at PSV. He is a very fast winger.
“But if you see their team playing they are much more than those two players. They have quality players and even after the changes they have made from last season, they are still a very strong team.
“They are first in the league in Serie A and that shows the start they’ve had. We are well prepared and know the task and challenge we face, playing against a very, very good team.”
