The chance is there for Gerrard and Rangers, and now they must prove that they have what it takes to go and grab it

Liverpool captain. When some of that cash is spent in January, Celtic should emerge from the top flight shutdown a stronger proposition and their knowledge of how to see leagues out could prove the difference during the run-in.

The only unknown factor is how they would deal with real, sustained pressure being applied from across the city. There is nothing to suggest they couldn’t cope just fine, but that is what could make this season different from the rest in recent memory.

That will only come in to play, of course, if Rangers can solve their own issues and continue to improve as the season progresses. In

that regard,

‘‘

January could be decisive. Rangers may have landed a blow on Celtic at the weekend but Gerrard’s side haven’t shown enough in the first half of the season to suggest they can put together the kind of run that would normally give a team the look of potential champions. And the bizarre thing is that they haven’t had to.

Dropping 21 points from as many games normally wouldn’t have a side sitting second in the standings on goal difference but that is where Rangers find themselves going into the winter break. It is a position Gerrard would certainly have taken in the summer.

The league flag was a dream for those at Ibrox at the start of the season but, given how the campaign has gone and where they are, it has now become more of a reality.

Many fans now fancy their chances and if Gerrard’s side don’t go on and lift the Premiership come May, there will surely be feelings of it being a real opportunity missed.

Rangers have already failed to capitalise on Celtic’s lacklustre form by throwing away points against the likes of Motherwell, Livingston and Dundee and failing to win any of their four meetings with Aberdeen and Hibernian when the chances were certainly there to do so.

Those points can never be recovered but if the lessons are learned then the Gers might just be able to make Celtic sweat more than they have done at any time for several years.

The chance is there for Gerrard and Rangers, and now they must prove that they have what it takes to go and grab it. Their own place in history awaits.