Derby win showed Gers stars believe they can lift title. New signings prove board think it too
BELIEVE. It’s a word that has inspired Rangers fans since Marvin Andrews urged them to keep the faith before the dramatic events of Helicopter Sunday.
And Billy Dodds reckons it’s now the feeling from the Ibrox boardroom to the dressing room with the early January transfer activity proof there is a belief they can win the Premiership this season.
That might not have been the case at the start of the campaign but former Light Blues striker Dodds reckons Steven Gerrard’s impressive early start to his first management job has altered their thinking.
And that has convinced Dave King and Co to push the boat out with the arrival of former England hitman Jermain Defoe and experienced midfielder Steve Davis in the first week of the January transfer window.
Dodds – a mid-season capture who helped fired Dick Advocaat’s side to the Double 18 years ago – insists his old club are ahead of schedule under rookie gaffer Gerrard.
It comes after last week’s Old Firm victory that pulled them level on points with seven-ina-row champions Celtic, albeit Gers have played a game more.
Gerrard’s squad will fly out to Tenerife this morning for a winter training camp to prepare for a crucial second half of the season that could see them end Celtic’s title domination.
And Dodds, 49, said: “Belief. That’s the key word for me. Rangers believe they are in the running.
“Celtic have been so far ahead for so long. There is a belief among the Rangers players now that they are a lot closer than anybody truly imagined.
“Now is the time to strike and that’s exactly what Rangers have done with this calibre of signings. Rangers are not standing still.
“And this far outstrips the expectations of Rangers fans at the start of the season.
“They thought this campaign would be about trying to bridge the gap and then look to go again next season. But they have qualified for the group stages of the Europa League and realise now they are so close to Celtic they are pushing ahead.
“In the past Rangers have dithered on deals but they’ve moved so quickly to get both Davis and Defoe.
“It’s Rangers telling Celtic they know how close they are to catching them.
“From the outside people are sensing there’s a belief about this Rangers team but more importantly I’m beginning to sense that from inside the dressing room they are starting to believe now.
“The Old Firm victory has catapulted them towards this way of thinking. Maybe the gap isn’t as big as we thought and what they thought.
“Steven Gerrard has a steely determination but for the rest of us no one really saw Rangers being in the position they find themselves.”
Davis knows all about the demands at Ibrox after winning multiple major honours before leaving Gers for Southampton after the club’s financial collapse.
And Dodds said: “The objective was to add one or two players of genuine quality in this transfer window.
“With Davis and Defoe nobody can argue that that’s exactly what they have done.
“Davis will bring so much quality to the middle of the park and Defoe will bring goals. It’s two massive signings. They are sending a powerful message.”