Rangers are back in it but now the challenge really begins and we still have it all to prove

Nothing changes for Rangers despite a weekend that once again gives us hope in the title race.

We are more than in it which is remarkable given the season we have had. Injuries galore, a change in manager and some very bad early form meant Rangers were well off it and many of us doubted a season of any success.

But for Rangers there is no point in looking any further forward than out next game and keeping the mantra that it is very much ‘one game at a time’.

Our rivals are still capable even if they have suffered a drop off and they have resources to strengthen, unfortunately they have also experience in these situations. We shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security but the reality is they are also more fragile than at any point in the last two seasons.

That’s given Rangers an unexpected opportunity and all we can really do is focus on the next game.

It doesn’t suddenly mean that this squad is all conquering and any previous reservations are untrue. It also doesn’t mean that we suddenly are capable of winning the big crunch games, this squad have unfortunately proven the exact opposite which is why we must continue to focus on ourselves.

I like the fact that Philippe Clement has never mentioned the league nor has he ever mentioned Celtic. His view has always been about what we do and it has been a consistent message that we concentrate on ourselves only and only ever our next game.

There has been no mixed messages, no promises of greatness and no unrealistic boasts some new managers are prone to making.

It’s been a steely focused message of patience and concentration.

He will be delighted with Rangers position considering what he inherited, we all should be but in reality we are still chasing and face the biggest of challenges ahead.

This week alone we head to Betis then have a massive game on Sunday in the League Cup Final, before three huge league games and then a trip to Parkhead.

Every game will be massive and every game will be tough considering how stretched our squad is and how many injuries we have.

Rangers have every opportunity to push on and really kick start this season. Europe will take care of itself, whatever competition path we take European football after Christmas was always the objective.

The league cup though provides a huge opportunity and silverware can do lots of things to galvanise a squad. For many it may be their first taste of a cup final and first opportunity to achieve success.

But nothing is a given and this squad will have to step up and perform against a team that raises their game every time. It will be a challenge but under Clement, they have largely improved every game and he has got the best out of a squad which looked lost physically and tactically.

All Rangers can do is block out the noise and take it a step at a time concentrating only on what they can control.

It’s there for this squad, of course it is, but we have been here before and got excited too quickly only for it to fall down almost instantly. For that reason I’m simply thinking no further than what happens next for us, even if the result from Rugby Park raised a smile!

All credit to the manager and the squad for getting these results, we have won eight out of nine in the league since defeat by Aberdeen at home conceding just three goals.

Which is some fine form.

We asked them to respond and largely criticised their performance until then, in fairness they have responded and done so in the middle of an injury crisis.

Now they have the opportunity to take it to the next level.

We remain grounded, we take it step by step and continue to try to push on a bit more every game. If we can do that and get to January unscathed then we have to do everything we can to back this manager and really kick on.

This squad still have it all to prove. But they are doing their bit and now they have an opportunity to really kick on.

Watching them take it now is the next challenge, but under this manager it may be different and proving that is what we all want.

Two massive games this week and one which offers the opportunity of silverware. That’s what this club is all about and that’s what we have to achieve. Delivering those shiny things on a regular basis.

I think this squad can do it, I think we all do but we have been here before. Now after it’s all debated and everything is done, they have to deliver.

Good luck Rangers 🔴⚪️🔵