The one thing that Philippe Clement can claim as Rangers manager is that he hasn’t been far away in terms of expectations in the cup competitions.
The manager has one trophy to his name during his one-year spell in the Ibrox hotseat with an unfortunate defeat in the Scottish Cup final and the Premier Sports Cup final on the horizon.
Domestic football hasn’t been much fun for Rangers this season but the Scottish Cup gives another chance to keep Celtic at bay in terms of status as top trophy winners in the country.
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Rangers learn fate in Scottish Gas Scottish Cup draw
Rangers have been drawn to face Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup in what is a favourable draw for Clement, if he is still in charge when the fourth round comes around.
Currently in the Highland League and sitting in ninth place, it would take a shock bigger than the level of Berwick Rangers or Hamilton Accies should The Broch pull off the unlikely result.
The tie will be played on either the 18th or 19th of January and will be between fixtures against Aberdeen and Man Utd.
Clement couldn’t have asked for a better chance to rest and rotate players.
What it could also offer, is a great chance for new signings to make their debut at Ibrox under little pressure and against an opposition that shouldn’t provide too stiff a test, if the mentality is right.
What happened the last time Rangers played Fraserburgh?
On a windy and snowy night in January 2018, Graeme Murty was the interim manager as Rangers ran out 3-0 winners with a Josh Windass hat-trick proving to be the difference.
How did Rangers line-up:
- Jak Alnwick
- Lee Hodson
- Declan John
- Fabio Cardoso
- David Bates
- Jason Holt
- Andy Halliday
- Nico Kranjcar
- Daniel Candeias
- Josh Windass
- Jason Cummings
There is one player from that squad who is still around, however, it isn’t James Tavernier.
Liam Kelly was on the bench before leaving Rangers in the summer and, given the level of opposition, and the games either side, there is every chance that Jack Butland could be given the afternoon off.
