DINGWALL does not seem the sort of spot where matters of seismic historical significance are commonplace but, should things not go his way this afternoon, this humdrum Highland town could end up becoming synonymous with Pedro Caixinha’s time at Rangers.

The Portuguese does not seem like a man clinging desperately to his job just yet but there is little doubt that an awkward start to the season has diminished rather than enhanced his long-term prospects. A fanbase that had been willing to temporarily shelf any misgivings about his suitability for the post to lend him their backing are understandably beginning to have some doubts. Caixinha needs to win them over again and quickly if he is not to be reduced to another experimental appointment that simply didn’t work out.

No manager can survive in the medium to long term without a general feeling among the support that matters are moving in a positive direction. It is something that is enhanced at both Celtic and Rangers where tolerance of mediocrity tends to run out far quicker than anywhere else in the country.

Tony Mowbray was fired the day after a 4-0 defeat away to St Mirren, his ill-fated Celtic managerial career destined to be forever reduced to the shorthand of “that night in Paisley”. A loss to a Ross County side of similar standing this afternoon could do likewise for Caixinha. The Rangers board may not be quite at that point where they hastily convene tomorrow and decide it is time for a change of direction but defeat to Jim McIntyre’s side would undoubtedly give them something to think about.

Caixinha could make the case that he needs more time. He could argue that he came in towards the fag-end of an underwhelming season when Rangers had already ran out of steam. He asked for – and was given – the chance to rip it up and start again. Ten players have gone out, and 10 have come in. It would only be natural to expect a need for a period of assimilation, especially with trying to bed in eight foreign arrivals.

It would be a reasonable argument at a lesser club like the afore-mentioned Ross County or St Mirren. But not at Rangers. At Ibrox, change has to be implemented in conjunction with victories. There is little point in investing heavily in a long-term plan if the team continues to ship goals and incur defeats or even draws in the short-term. Constructing platforms and creating building blocks for the future will only help his successor if a Rangers manager cannot put together a team capable of consistently winning matches.

Caixinha’s case is weakened by the black marks already against his name. Losses to Celtic are understandable given the gulf in resources but are the hardest for fans to swallow. A first Ibrox defeat to Aberdeen in a quarter of a century did not sit well, nor did being beaten at home by Neil Lennon’s Hibernian or the embarrassingly early European exit.

It is difficult to continue to claim progress (pun intended) is being made when the team continues to suffer one setback after another. Seeing players allowed to move then flourish at their new clubs – Michael O’Halloran, Barrie McKay, Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner all scored last weekend – does not help engender confidence in a manager’s judgment either.

The Rangers board surely do not want to go through the process of finding a second manager in the space of six months. Nor do they need another failed appointment against their names after Mark Warburton’s tenure that started promisingly before quickly fizzing out. Dave King will avoid direct blame if Caixinha departs given he did not take an active role in his recruitment, although there is a school of thought that the chairman of any club should at least be involved in the discussions ahead of such a crucial appointment. King will surely need to be more hands-on next time.

Of course, there is still time for Caixinha to turn things around in his favour. If it is losses (and draws) that expedite a manager’s departure from a club, then victories tend to have the opposite effect. Rangers could feasibly win today and go on to chalk up a string of good results. They could be carrying Caixinha around Ibrox shoulder-high by Christmas if his new signings all click and the team hit top form. It is not impossible but there is now no room for further error. Caixinha cannot afford to lose today. He can't afford to have Dingwall as the defining moment of his Rangers reign.