7 reasons for Rangers to believe they CAN dethrone Celtic after Premiership looked a lost cause

7 reasons for Rangers to believe they CAN dethrone Celtic after Premiership looked a lost cause

With two games remaining, the Ibrox team trails Celtic by five points,

suggesting that the title fight is officially underway.

Can they really pull off such a remarkable comeback?

Rangers’ 2023–24 Scottish Premiership victory would have been a long shot at

the bookies after referee Steven McLean’s final whistle at Ibrox on September 30.

After losing to Aberdeen 3-1 at home,

the Light Blues were heavily favoured to make it three in a row.

Earlier that day, Celtic upset Motherwell in a thrilling late-night match at Fir Park,

and they were now trailing them by seven points.

However, after over three months, the situation has drastically changed.

The defending champions are still favourites,

but only by a little margin, and now that the Light Blues are only

five points behind with two games remaining

the first at home against St Johnstone on Wednesday and

the second away to Easter Road early in the new year

a wager on Rangers doesn’t sound quite so crazy.

There are two main variables contributing to the Rangers’ comeback.

First things first: 24 hours after the heartbreaking Dons loss,

the board fired Michael Beale, and most importantly,

it seems they got the proper guy in Philippe Clement.

The Belgian has quickly altered the team despite his insistence that he lacks a magic wand;

on Sunday, he lifted the Viaplay Cup,

capping an amazing first nine weeks in the position.

Though he cannot guarantee it will be this year,

he is sure that he will win a trophy at Ibrox.

Can he accomplish it the first time he asks,

though? Record Sport examines a few key arguments for why it might not be such a reach.

Self-assurance

Among the most crucial elements is this.

When Michael Beale left, this team lacked confidence,

and even though Philippe Clement claimed he didn’t have a magic wand,

he had to possess something exceptional to have turned and changed this bunch so quickly.

They wouldn’t be competing for any titles if they didn’t have that belief.

Celtic tremble

There was always going to be a ceiling on what Rangers might accomplish on

their own this season in the Scottish Premiership.

Their formidable adversaries probably wouldn’t have been able to

wriggle back into a title fight if they had been as unrelenting domestically as

they were under Ange Postecoglou last season.

They had to have faith that the Hoops would let them in,

and since Clement’s arrival at Ibrox, they have let that dream die.

Previous winner of the return from the dead title

Seven points is a big difference in the Scottish Premiership,

and that is what Philippe Clement came into.

However, there are instances where a lead of this kind is lost.

Rangers could look no farther than their own squad under the late Walter Smith,

who scored the game’s lone goal from Scott McDonald to put

Celtic ahead seven goals after an Old Firm loss at Ibrox in the 2008–09 season.

Still, Gers rallied to win it. A few seasons ago, after seven games of his rookie campaign,

Ange Postecoglou was trailing the Rangers by six points.

Many people were writing the Hoops off,

but they rallied. What about 2011–12? At one time,

Celtic was behind Rangers by fifteen points,

but they managed to rally to win it despite having three games remaining against their rivals.

stars that are returning

Due to a long list of injuries sustained during the season,

the Rangers Training Centre medical room has been extremely busy,

which makes Philippe Clement’s work even more impressive.

With Danilo sidelined due to a recent knee injury,

Dujon Sterling had to step in as the engine room substitute for Ryan Jack,

Jose Cifuentes, and Nico Raskin during the Viaplay Cup final.

Sterling performed admirably and was named man of the match.

Rabbi Matondo has only recently returned from a layoff,

and Tom Lawrence is also out, but the Belgian can begin to regain his composure.

Grab several January transfers.

Well, perhaps not in large quantities, but Nils Koppen,

the newly appointed director of football, has been tasked with enhancing the team’s recruitment,

and he will be hoping to assist in bringing in some quality when the transfer window starts next month.

As of now, Clement is unable to sign any of his own players,

and that vital month could prove to be critical in a late-season title challenge.

Countless instances exist where managers from both Old Firm sides have won

the League Cup in their inaugural season, serving as the impetus for further success in the league.

It’s possible to return to the Rangers with Graeme Souness and Dick Advocaat while on the opposing team.

It was accomplished by Wim Jansen, Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill,

and Ange Postecolgou.

The majority have emphasised how important it was to them to

win the season’s first piece of cutlery since it gave them motivation.

favourable matchups

The champions’ more difficult start to the season

they had to go to Pittodrie and Ibrox in the first few weeks

was much discussed, but things are beginning to even out now.

Without a doubt, the Light Blues will have some games that they can win

if they look at the schedule between now and the winter break.

They play three home games, starting on Wednesday against St Johnstone and

going on to play Ross County and Kilmarnock.

On Christmas Eve, they travel to a struggling Motherwell,

and on December 30th, they play the big game at Parkhead.

Now that Europe is no longer a priority,

they can confidently look forward to these five games.

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