Rangers v Legia Warsaw doesn’t just come during Rangers biggest week of the season so far – but it’s lodged in the middle of seven days which may be the defining ones at Ibrox this season.
You cannot underestimate how much results in the Europa League playoff with the Polish side and in the Scottish Pemiership against Old Firm rivals Celtic will impact our season.
Win on Thursday against Legia and we’ve reached the land of (relative) milk and honey, something Rangers simply need to achieve for financial reasons.
Steven Gerrard described Europa League football as being “top of the Board’s agenda” [Rangers].
With Rangers and Celtic finely poised in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers go into Sunday’s Ibrox Old Firm knowing a win will take them three points clear of their rivals ahead of the international break.
As good – and necessary – as the Europa League is, a victory against Celtic on Sunday lays down a significant marker for our domestic season.
We’re desperate for that title and there is a genuine feeling we can compete with them this year – this is the chance to show it.
In order to win titles, you also need to win the Old Firm ties at home.
There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t do both – and with the power of Ibrox behind us – it’s also going to be a huge few days for fans.
Steven Gerrard wants Ibrox to be “rocking” for the tie. Even if that’s made harder by a UEFA imposed partial stadium closure for sectarian singing.
We start against Legia – who coincidentally might be without their main striker for the match [Daily Record] – with the tie on a knife edge at 0-0.
We need goals and we need to lead this match on the front foot. Here’s the XI to do it – and to set us up perfectly for Sunday.
