Rangers must pass Fir Park stress test

AWEEK of away games will end with Rangers being subjected to a pressure test at Fir Park. It is one Steven Gerrard’s team must pass to help cool the debate about their credentials as long-term title challengers.

Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Hibs wasn’t the end of the world. Far from it. Dropping points away to an on-form team is the kind of thing that can happen to even the best sides.

The problem, of course, is that some Rangers fans think they see a worrying pattern. They look back to the issues that sank the last two Premiership campaigns and fear it is going to happen again.

For me, it’s too early to think that way. My old club haven’t even lost a game yet this time around. Overall, they have made a positive start, but they have to show they can find the clinical — almost cynical — edge that is required to get the job done over 38 games when you are under intense scrutiny every single week. It’s something they need to prove to themselves as much as to people on the outside.

That’s why it is of huge importance that they go and get three points on Sunday against a Motherwell side enjoying a big upswing in results.

Anything else and all the old talk and doubts will be brought up again. The pressure on them will get stronger and stronger. Momentum is critical when you are trying to make a trophywinning breakthrough and Rangers can’t afford to lose theirs.

As we all know, nothing happens in isolation where football in Glasgow is concerned. On Saturday, Celtic seemed to struggle a bit against Livingston but they still got the win.

You think back to when Rangers had a chance to open up an 11-point gap — with the Parkhead club sidelined through that coronavirus issue with Boli Bolingoli — but couldn’t score at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Celtic have just kept on going since they returned to action. They are not playing great stuff but the wins are coming to move them back into a position they will feel quite happy about. Namely, one point behind with a game in hand.

Rangers have to make sure they respond. That’s simply the nature of a title race. As I said, Sunday wasn’t any kind of disaster. But they didn’t get over the line despite having the chances to do so. Ryan Kent was one-on-one and could have scored — should have scored — to make it 3-1.

At 2-2, there was the huge double chance for Scott Arfield.

Mistakes were also made defensively and that is perhaps a wake-up call after the clean-sheet record because Hibs provided the biggest attacking threat Rangers have faced in a domestic game this season.

In terms of an advert for

Scottish football, it was a very entertaining and absorbing game. Hibs showed up well and you have to give them credit.

They were aggressive in midfield, had pace up front and an excellent goalkeeper in Ofir Marciano. Overall, the belief they displayed is good for the league.

You need teams who back themselves to go and take points from the Old Firm.

The issue for Rangers, though, was the absence of that edge to secure the points. It’s something they need to correct quickly.

How can that be done? To be honest, it happens through making results and winning trophies. If you don’t, there is a vicious circle you have to break.

You could see it at Easter Road.

I looked at Gerrard when the camera panned to the bench. Even at 2-1 up, he looked tense, like: “Just get me that third goal”.

But that goal never came and they ended up drawing another match away from home. Here we go again. You can see that, at times, on the faces of some players and the management team. But you can’t just flick a switch to escape from it.

Only results can provide a release valve. Again, that’s why I think it is really a massive game against Motherwell.

It could be crucial in terms of whether we are talking about a pattern here or not.

There is obviously an important Europa League trip before then when Rangers go to Holland to face up to Willem II on Thursday. I would argue that tie is a different animal, though. Gerrard has always set up his team well for away games in Europe and they are able to play a slightly different type of football.

The bigger question marks have been over domestic games outside of Ibrox. Since the winter break last season, Rangers have played ten away matches — winning four, drawing three and losing three.

Statistics don’t always tell the full story but Gerrard will know those numbers have to pick up.

Getting out of Motherwell with a win would be an important step towards sharpening the edge Rangers require in the weeks and months ahead.