TOP sports psychologist Tom Lucas reckons Walter Smith could be forced in to a Rangers clearout if his side blow the title on the final day again.
But the shrink reckons any Ibrox inquest could start with the boss himself.
Gers led the title race for much of last season only to tail off towards the end and be pipped at the death by Celtic.
They now just need to beat Dundee
United today to finish top of the pile and it's unthinkable for them to fail again.
But if they flop at Tannadice, Lucas believes the Ibrox players might NEVER believe they can win the title.
He is well qualified to talk about last-day dramas after helping mastermind the famous Motherwell win that cost Celtic the title in 2005. And the shrink believes some Rangers stars might even want to be jettisoned if it turns sour, as it did for Barry Ferguson and Co. at Pittodrie a year ago (right).
He said: "Should Rangers lose the title again in such similar circumstances then you would need to dismantle the team.
"It would be devastating if they didn't win it from this position. Some of them may not recover from that kind of mental scar. There would be a lot of recriminations.
"Some would probably want to be shipped out just to get a fresh start while others are young enough to fight on.
"If Rangers haven't taken control of the game at Tannadice after 15 or 20 minutes then doubts will creep in.
"Walter Smith might also have to look at his tactics because as manager he picks the team and decides the approach.
That kind of reflection will take place and he may look at his own position, take a step back and say: 'Wait a minute here, we've blown this twice.' "Liverpool, for example, have been so close yet so far yet again. Players will think: 'Am I ever going to get there?'" Lucas knows the Old Firm will need nerves of steel today with both sides desperate for a win.
He said: "It's going to be about who will take the biggest risk.
"Walter is ultra cautious and it has been successful. But now we have a situation where, to a certain extent, he must throw caution to the wind.
"There will be a fear of losing which can either be used to spur you on or leave you like a rabbit in the headlights. At least eight of your players need to perform - there will be at least three who will be so frozen by the event.
"It's a day for strong minds and that's what will carry people through.
I call it fire and ice.
"Ice is from the neck upwards and fire is in the stomach. If the ice melts then you're in trouble."
