Even the most optimistic Rangers fan would agree that the 2016/17 campaign hasn’t quite gone to plan for the Ibrox side. Currently adrift of Aberdeen in third place and having suffered a number of demoralising defeats across the season, the Gers are currently directionless with no permanent manager in place.
U20s coach Graeme Murty has taken charge of the first team on a caretaker basis and if anything results have gotten worse with two bad defeats away to Dundee and Inverness Caledonian Thistle piling the misery onto supporters.
However, there’s still plenty left to play for this season and Murty did guide them through another round of the Scottish Cup. Whether it’s the inexperienced manager or and outside name that comes in to lead Rangers then the final months of the season are still salvageable.
Here are three reasons why this season could still be a big one for Rangers…
Qualifying for Europe
Qualifying for Europe is a big aim for Rangers this season and that remains as true now as it was at the start of the season. Sure, supporters dreamed of title success but how much did they see that as a realistic aim?
While finishing second would be nice for pride, in terms of European qualification the benefit isn’t that great, the difference being what round you enter the UEFA Europa League at. If the Gers finish second they’ll join qualification for the Europa League at the second qualifying round and if they finish third they’ll join at the first qualifying round.
What’s key is not falling below third, in that case they’d either need to win the Scottish Cup or hope that Aberdeen or Celtic lift the trophy.
Securing European football would be an important step for the club as they hope to hit the heights their supporters expect.
Winning the Scottish Cup
The Scottish Cup remains within Rangers’ reach after Graeme Murty led the team through a 4th Round tie against Greenock Morton. The Quarter Final is a very winnable tie at home to struggling Hamilton Academical meaning that a trip to Hampden in the semis is a very real possibility.
As we saw last season that means anything can and will happen. Hampden has been a graveyard for favourites many a time and with Aberdeen and Celtic still in the competition then the Gers may go into the match as underdogs.
If they lifted the trophy it would change the entire complexion of this season and may turn the perception of it as a failure completely on its head. Rangers fans crave major success more than most fanbases and the Scottish Cup is one of the most prestigious on offer to the Ibrox club at the start of the season.
Stopping a perfect Celtic season
If Celtic go unbeaten this season it’s going to become a legendary campaign that is spoken about for years and the fact it also happened to be the season Rangers got promoted to the top-flight won’t be forgotten by fans in Parkhead. Stopping that unbeaten streak would be a momentous occasion for Rangers, also making sure that they aren’t whitewashed in derbies.
There are at least two derbies left with another potential match-up in the Scottish Cup. The next one isn’t far away and it’s a very tough trip to Celtic Park, but we know from years gone by that form books go out the window in these matches.
Look at last season at Hampden, the Hoops were huge favourites but Rangers managed to grind out a penalties win after a pulsating 2-2 draw after extra-time.
Can Rangers ensure this season isn’t a famous one for their arch rivals?
