About a month ago, going into this Old Firm we were probably the most confident we’ve been against Celtic in years.
Rangers were playing well, scoring goals and getting results. We were also still in the title race.
Whilst that hasn’t totally changed, it probably will if we don’t get a result on Saturday. A Celtic win will take them six points clear with a game in hand. A draw keeps them at three.
But such has been our lackadaisical performances this season, do you really envisage us overleaping their potential six-point lead?
We probably need to win to stay in any title hunt. More than just earn us points and take them off Celtic, it proves that we can compete with them.
It’d be a huge statement psychologically.
With some big players out, it might just be too big an ask.
But even if we don’t win, will it be a season defining disappointment? The idea that the only thing to realistically play for in the second half of the season is the Scottish Cup will disappoint most Rangers fans.
That’s fair enough, but the need to stop another Celtic treble should be plenty of incentive for the players.
Win, lose or draw on Saturday, Rangers must look at the bigger picture and start tackling their dominance. That begins by winning trophies.
No matter the result, we’ll still be in the hunt for at least one of those come the end of Saturday’s Old Firm.