Rangers boss Michael Beale and returning playmaker Ianis Hagi are clear that when it comes to the title race with Celtic, it ‘ain’t over ‘till it’s over.
Following a disastrous first half of the campaign under the tepid and cautious Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Rangers find themselves nine points off their Old Firm rivals.
A three game run against St Mirren (D), St Johnstone (L) and Livingston (D) ahead of the World Cup break stands out as the moment which could’ve cost Rangers yet another title against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
But whilst Michael Beale is honest enough when it comes to the gap, the Rangers manager is looking for some momentum to swing in the Ibrox club’s favour and away from Celtic.
“If you look at probability, it’s low because the games are running out and there is only so many games left,” said Beale [Rangers].
“We are in very good form and Celtic are also in very good form but their form has run longer than ours so you’d say it is outstanding form.
“What I would say is that momentum changes things in football. All we can do is keep doing our job and hope the momentum changes.
“If it doesn’t we still have to win games for Rangers and build our team stronger for the cup competitions and what’s to come. We can’t take our foot off from it which is why I was a little bit annoyed at the weekend’s performance.”
Michael Beale, Ianis Hagi refuse to rule out Celtic title challenge
Rangers playmaker Ianis Hagi was also facing the media following the trip to face Livingston and he too suggested the team aren’t giving up on this title just yet.
Speaking as he steps up his return from injury, the Romanian pointed to the Ibrox club’s untimely collapse last season.
“There’s still many games to play,” said Hagi [Rangers].
“Obviously, it’s been a season with many ups and downs for us. We have to be realistic, but I know the position we were in last January.
“We were six points ahead and everything went so well for us. We know how that ended up. Anything can happen in football.
“Right now, the focus, certainly since the gaffer came in, has been about finding ourselves as a team, our chemistry and to take things game by game and to try win every game.
“I think we’ve done that since the gaffer came, we just have to keep it going and we’ll see where that takes us at the end of the season.”
Michael Beale and Rangers prepare to face Livingston this weekend whilst Old Firm rivals Celtic host Aberdeen ahead of next week’s League Cup Final between the two clubs.
Meanwhile, Michael Beale has also put ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton firmly in his place.
