Rangers host St Johnstone needing a result ahead of cup tie
It’s midweek football for Rangers tonight as they host St Johnstone at Ibrox.
Friday’s defeat at Inverness was yet another abysmal result for a Rangers side horrendously out of form.
Graeme Murty will still be in charge for the game, his first home league fixture as caretaker boss. Rangers are unlikely to appoint a new manager before the match but are expected to make a decision in the next couple of weeks.
Last week’s defeat in the Highlands, coupled with the defeat at Dundee prior to that has left Rangers nine points behind Aberdeen ahead of kick-off. Rivals Celtic are also 33 points ahead.
YouTube: PRESS CONFERENCE | Graeme Murty | 27 Feb 2017
Realistic expectation for Rangers this season was the challenge for second. But falling short of that target, and trailing Celtic by a mammoth total has been painful.
This weekend, the Light Blues host Hamilton Accies in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup. Their recent performances and results do not resemble a team capable of putting together a cup run. However, a home victory over the Saints will provide a little momentum going into that game on Saturday lunchtime.
A trip to Celtic Park also awaits Rangers on Sunday week. Back-to-back home victories will certainly lift spirits in the Rangers camp going into that game. But without a manager or a win in the last three Old Firm derbies, it will be a tough ask regardless of momentum.
Veteran defender Clint Hill has said a new managerial appointment soon will help to make sure European qualification, at least, is not squandered.
Obviously, getting someone in – the sooner the better – would be great for us. European qualification is still something we want and still something we hold in our hands.
The battle with St Johnstone will be a difficult one as Tommy Wright’s side have held Rangers in the last two league meetings.
YouTube: PRESS CONFERENCE | Clint Hill | 27 Feb 2017
It is results against the league’s better sides where Rangers tend to have faltered this season. A victory over the Perth side is a must-win as closing the gap on second place becomes the latest objective.