GERS MUST BE BRAVE ON THE BALL AGAINST CELTS
After the dark days, now comes an opportunity to give Light Blue legions those glorious nights back at Ibrox
WHEN Rangers set off on the road back to the top flight of Scottish football back in 2012, European football seemed a long way away for the club.
On Thursday night, Steven Gerrard has a chance to take his side into the group stages of the Europa League. And I don’t think you can underestimate how important it would be for Rangers if they can overcome Ufa and qualify this season.
For the club to get back to where it should be, having European football is massive. Rangers need to be playing at the highest level and getting to the next phase of the competition would be a big moment for everyone at Ibrox.
Just think where Rangers have been for the last five, six, seven years. The fans have suffered, everyone has suffered, and it has been a really difficult time for the club.
Of course, the ultimate ambition for Rangers has to be to be competing in the Champions League once again. That is where we were before and where we want to be again.
But you have to take progression and take things a step at a time and getting into the Europa League would be progression for the board, the management and the players.
It would be brilliant for these players to sample European football because it will really bring them on and help with their learning as players and people.
Now they are seeing the demands of Rangers. They have to go and challenge in Europe, they need to challenge for the league and they have two cups the fans expect them to win as well.
That is the standard that Rangers players have got to meet and so far this season they have done that.
Last season, it felt like Rangers were taking steps in the wrong direction but that isn’t the case now with Steven and his staff and the new players in place.
The manager has spoken a lot about the character and leadership qualities of this side and I think you saw that on Sunday, even though they