Rangers started the 2024/25 season slowly and things got gradually worse until Philippe Clement got sacked and was replaced by Barry Ferguson.
The domestic season was all but over by Valentine’s Day, with the Europa League scant consolation given the lack of silverware that has graced the Ibrox trophy room in recent years.
The whole club is undergoing a reset, from top to bottom, from the academy to the boardroom and to the owners, with the San Francisco 49ers probably only recently realising just what they have got themselves into – Andrew Cavenagh’s attendance at the win over Fenerbahce would have helped put any last minute doubts to bed.
Winning the Scottish Premiership is, and always will be, the ultimate goal at the start of every season and, despite the current 13 point gap in the table, there are shoots of recovery.
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Rangers turn a corner since January new year Old Firm derby
With a near fully fit Rangers squad for much of 2025, are there early signs that next season could be a lot closer?
The first game of the New Year was the Old Firm derby at Ibrox, Rangers ran out rampant 3-0 winners in a game that should have seen the lead cut to six but for previous poor performances.
After 10 league games of this year, the Scottish Premiership table looks entirely different to the one from that game with the suggestion being that 2025/26 could be an exciting race.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| Celtic | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 22 |
| Rangers | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 22 |
| Hearts | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 22 |
| Hibernian | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 20 |
Not only do Rangers have the same points as Celtic, but Hearts are on 22 and Hibs are on 20. Celtic are top on goal difference.
However, a season will always be judged at the end and by how many trophies are won, and this one has been abysmal.
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Defeat in the Premier Sports Cup was painful given the fall-out from the non-penalty award to Vaclav Cerny and the penalty shoot-out that followed, but there has been little else to cheer about.
The New Year Old Firm has to be used as ground zero for a squad that had been quickly thrown together with gaps all over it and areas of weakness that need to be improved.
What it has shown, is that a slow start can’t be accepted.
Clement spoke about seeing the best of his team in October or November, a statement that riled Rangers fans given how immediate success is demanded.
If Ferguson replaces him as permanent manager has one job, hit the ground running.
