Rangers have already put themselves in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Gers currently sit eighth in the league table and remaining in that top eight would send them straight into the last 16 while slipping out but remaining in the top 24 would mean they would go into the play-off.
That would then give them a two-legged tie to navigate in order to get to the next stage.
Up next are two very tricky ties against Premier League giants Tottenham and Manchester United before a more winnable one at home to Belgians Union Saint-Gilloise.
With Ange Posteocglou and his Spurs team in town tonight before Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic, it’s a pivotal week.
Ally McCoist on Rangers’ double header dilemma
Rangers are underdogs for both of their massive fixtures against Spurs and Celtic this week. Indeed, Philippe Clement has actually been criticised for claiming both are ‘out of their league’ financially.
Tottenham themselves have an injury crisis and will be forced into changes, which could work in the home side’s favour.
While Gers manager Philippe Clement has often rotated his side when faced with a European and domestic game within days of each other but is now left with a dilemma for this double header.
Does he go weaker against Spurs in order to remain at full strength for the Old Firm final, and risk a heavy defeat at the hands of the Premier League side?
Or do Rangers go with a full strength XI and risk injuries or tiredness for the derby?
Ally McCoist has been put on the spot on talkSPORT and asked whether he would take a Spurs “battering” if it meant beating Celtic.
And he replied: “Define battering? Because if we get beaten tonight we still have a fairly good chance of qualification.
“So to answer your question, I will take a 2-0 tonight and a win on Sunday, how’s that?”
Host Alan Brazil asked Coisty his thoughts on a reverse of the scorelines, to which he joked: “Al the line has gone a bit funny.”
What Rangers need to qualify for Europa League knockouts
Rangers’ results in the Europa League have been pretty good across the board so far – three wins including knocking four past both FCSB and Nice.
There was a creditable draw at Olympiacos and the only defeat came against French giants Lyon, which is understandable.
Clement’s side will now look to get over the line with their remaining three fixtures.
Rangers might not actually need to pick up any more points to make it to the play-offs although they would be unseeded, according to Scotland’s Coefficient on X.
It’s projected 11 to 12 points would be enough to be seeded so Gers may only need one or two points from their last three games.
While 14 to 15 may be required for the top eight, so a win and a draw could do it.
