da betano casino： Rangers’ promotion to the Scottish Premiership hasn’t exactly gone the way they’d have liked at the start of the season. Inconsistent results, derby losses and a departing manager have all turned it into a campaign of missed opportunity rather than realised dreams.
da premier bet： While the league title is beyond them, with Celtic a massive 30 points ahead, finishing in second is still a huge priority for whoever is in charge until the end of the season, whether that’s a new boss or current caretaker manager Graeme Murty.
To do that they must beat bitter rivals Aberdeen to the post and the Dons are currently six points ahead of the ‘Gers in the league table. That’s a tall order, especially when you consider Derek McInnes’ side appear to be great form.
If there is a path to second then what do Rangers need to do? Which games are the must win games that could provide the basis of a league comeback?
Here are FIVE fixtures the ‘Gers must win to finish second this season…
Inverness Caledonian Thistle (A) – 24/02/2017
The matter is so urgent for Rangers that their must-win games start immediately, on Friday night away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Not an easy task, trips north to face Inverness are notoriously difficult.
Rangers need to win here though or risk seeing their season go completely off the rails. They haven’t won a Scottish Premiership match in three games and a draw or defeat here would likely be capitalised on by Aberdeen who have a 3pm Saturday home kick-off to look forward to.
They need to get back to winning ways and show they still have a bit about them even after the departure of Mark Warburton. It’s tough for Graeme Murty no doubt, but his side badly need a result.
St Johnstone (H) – 01/03/2017
Rangers’ home form this season has generally been good but one team they haven’t been able to better is St Johnstone. The Ibrox side have played Tommy Wright’s men twice this season and both occasions have ended in a 1-1 draw. If they’re to have ambitions of finishing above Aberdeen then they need to prove they can get a win over one of the better sides in the division.
It would be an important win not just for those reasons but to ease fears that Rangers may slip further down the table, the Perth Saints are as close to Rangers as the ‘Gers are to Aberdeen.
A mid-week win against St Johnstone would be a real statement that they can still keep pace with the Dons.
Celtic (A) – 12/03/2017
Aberdeen haven’t managed to get anything on Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic this season so a victory at Celtic Park would definitely be ground gained on the Dons in the battle for second.
Not to mention it would be a massive confidence boost too. Despite only winning on penalties, last season’s semi-final win over Celtic was a massive result for Rangers and their supporters so you can only imagine what a victory at the home of their arch-rivals would do. If the ‘Gers can be the time that finally ends their domestic unbeaten run then it’d be celebrated for years to come.
Winning at Celtic Park could be the springboard the Ibrox side need to have a very strong finish to the league campaign.
Aberdeen (A) – 09/04/2017
It goes without saying that if Rangers have any chance of clawing their way back ahead of Aberdeen in the table then this visit to Pittodrie is an absolutely massive one. Beaten there 2-1 earlier the in the season, Rangers repaid that kindness with a 2-1 win of their own at Ibrox.
The game at Pittodrie back in September was a competitive affair and only won by the home side right at the death thanks to a stunning James Maddison free-kick. He’s now returned to Norwich so the Dons don’t have his magic-making ability to call upon.
Does that open the door for Rangers? That’s a tall order when you consider the rest of the talent Derek McInnes has at his disposal.
What’s certain is that it’ll be a wonderful atmosphere and a wonderful occasion as two of Scotland’s most famous teams go head-to-head in the battle for second place.
Partick Thistle (H) – 15/04/2017
Should Rangers overcome all these obstacles and maintain form in their other fixtures then they’ll be in good shape heading into the post-split Premiership fixtures. That’s if they beat Partick Thistle anyway.
The last step before facing off against the five teams around them in the table, maintaining momentum going into those fixtures is absolutely vital.
The final five games are going to be Rangers’ toughest of the entire season most likely and going into that on the back of a loss or a poor home draw could be catastrophic.
They need to see off their neighbours and ensure they are in good shape.