The winter break is now over and Rangers can get back down to league business this weekend.
Just seven days after the Kenny Miller rescue show at Ibrox, Rangers now visit Motherwell on Saturday lunchtime.
YouTube: PRESS CONFERENCE | Mark Warburton | 26 Jan 2017
It has been nearly a month since we last played a league game and the focus should be on securing second place as soon as possible.
Rangers have taken only one point from the last six available, allowing Aberdeen to edge closer. The next two fixtures away to Motherwell and away to Hearts will be vital to build up momentum in the second half of the season.
The last trip to Tynecastle in November was a poor one for us and lessons learned that night are crucial for what awaits us on Wednesday.
First, Rangers need to get through this weekend’s trip to Fir Park. Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was speechless after watching his side lose their grip on the Scottish Cup tie last weekend.
With home advantage, Motherwell will be hoping to use that to vent their frustrations and bounce back against Rangers immediately.
YouTube: PRESS CONFERENCE | Martyn Waghorn | 26 Jan 2017
Motherwell still managed to take the lead at Ibrox despite playing defensively for large parts of the game. A simple cross ball headed in by Louis Moult will be easy to repeat on their own patch on Saturday.
Our performances over the last five games have been inconsistent yet again – something which needs to be ironed out for any progression to happen.
The best performance out of those last five was the first 30 minutes of the Old Firm defeat last month.
New signings Jon Toral and Emerson Hyndman have been brought in to add quality to the midfield. Not much has been seen of them so far but Hyndman’s assist for Kenny Miller’s winner last week was terrific.
As the goals of Martyn Waghorn have dried up this season, and Joe Garner is recovering from injury, Kenny Miller remains our biggest goal threat in the team.
Another defender surely has to be the next signing for Rangers before the transfer window closes.
Reports suggest that Reece Oxford could be heading north from West Ham on loan.
That would be a welcomed signing. Highly regarded by the Hammers and an awesome display at the Emirates last season suggests Oxford will bring something different to what is already on offer amongst our defence.
In the long-term, Rangers must start getting away from loan deals to see the season out however. Money may be tight at Ibrox but to make progress on the field investment is needed.
There has been talk of a multi-million pound bid for Barrie McKay around the corner. A large bid would likely go towards securing future transfers. But McKay should be kept at Ibrox in order to continue his development. With years ahead of him who knows what level he could reach.
Realistically, a decent run in the Scottish Cup will be a bonus but second place in the league a priority.
There is no doubt, though, that the days will return where challenging for the league and winning the Scottish Cup is just a normal Rangers season.
