Victory this midweek for Rangers is absolutely critical. As we mentioned in a previous entry, rhetorically speaking, what would it mean to win this one? Obviously, there are subplots. There are all the aspects of Derek McInnes returning to his old side and his old home stadium for the first time as Rangers manager. There are not so many subplots involving Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland because they will be in the stands, unfit to play. However, regardless of who McInnes does select to start this one, victory is a gigantic statement.

Rangers Must Maintain the Chase with Victory

We know, of course, that Tynecastle is a different prospect for all teams. It is a tough place to go. But Hearts are third in the league and they will be absolutely gunning to get the victory and close in on Rangers. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that Rangers maintain the chase on Celtic with those three points.

There is little doubt that Celtic will almost certainly take the full points in their fixture – Utd are no slouches but getting anything at Parkhead isn’t for everyone. So Rangers absolutely must win this one. A draw is realistically not even enough. Unless Derek McInnes’ side get extremely fortunate with Celtic dropping points, it is an absolute must win. Any slip up at this stage is almost borderline throwing in the towel and conceding the league.

Rangers Four Point Gap Cannot Become Seven

Rangers are currently four points behind. That cannot become seven. Celtic will currently keep on winning. They are relentless at the weekend and haven’t dropped a single point in the league apart, of course, from against Rangers. That was a huge match. But unfortunately, it became rather meaningless given the relentlessness of Celtic and Rangers dropping two points to Dundee.

Therefore, any more slip ups at this point and it is basically game over. We are bold enough to say that as we approach November, dropping any points at this point, with Celtic continuously getting all three, is pretty much the nail in the coffin for any title challenge.

Continuing to win and even overtaking Celtic at this point, should they drop points, does not in itself mean victory and 56 this season for Rangers. But it keeps Rangers in it. It keeps Rangers in it till the very end should we continue to win. But losing at any point? There’s the problem.

Celtic Have the Experience of Champions Not Rangers

Celtic have the look of a side that know how to win. They are not a good team this season and few would deny this. But they have the relentlessness of champions. As we discussed before, they have dozens of players who have dozens of league titles. Rangers have just over a handful.

And even then, in grand total, Rangers have around about seven to eight league titles among their title winners in other countries. Kevin Kelsy, Tochi Chukwuani and Cammy Devlin. These are among the title winners that Rangers have, none of whom are particularly outstanding and certainly none of them have done it with Rangers, of course.

That’s the huge problem that Rangers have, among many, in trying to usurp Celtic from the league crown.

Anything Less Than Victory Is Not Enough For Rangers

But put simply, it’s a must win. Victory for Rangers. Anything less at this point and it’s basically game over. We highly doubt that anything less than a win will still keep us significantly in the title race this season.

But we’ve been wrong before.