Rangers look to rewrite history and go top for first time in two years

• Rangers have not topped the Premiership since March 2024 after a 3-1 win over Hibernian.
• Previous season’s early summit was short-lived due to dropped points and Celtic victories.
• Danny Rohl’s side now have a chance to reclaim top spot and pressure rivals.

Rangers return from the recent international break with a chance to achieve something no Ibrox side has done for over two years.

Go top of the Premiership table.

Danny Rohl’s side returned to full training today after multiple stars being away with their countries.

They will be looking to get back in their groove ahead of Saturday, as Dundee United visit Ibrox.

This fixture and the weekend’s schedule put Rangers in an advantageous position.

Layout as Rangers target summit

Leaders Hearts, who they currently trail by three points but with a better goal different, do not play until early on Sunday afternoon.

While third-placed Celtic are not in action until early the same evening.

This means, should they get the three points, Rangers will go top of the table for the first time this season, even if for just under 24 hours.

Rangers have spent the full season ‘hunting‘ as Rohl describes it.

After the disastrous start under Russell Martin, that seen the Glasgow giants’ languishing in the bottom half at the time of his sacking, they have had to be chasers rather than leaders.

This is the usual situation of recent years.

Rangers never once topped the table as Celtic won last season’s title.

Last time at the top

In fact, no Rangers side have been ahead of the pack since a 3-1 victory over Hibernian in March 2024.

Having lost at home to Motherwell the prior weekend, Phillipe Clement’s side had been knocked off their perch due to a midweek Celtic win.

However, with the Hoops out of action until the following day, Clement’s side had the chance to return to the summit.

They did so in emphatic fashion.

James Tavernier, Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo all netted as Rangers looked set to complete an epic turnaround post-Michael Beale and secure the title.

Sadly, it was not to last.

Celtic would win at Livingston the following day, and earn a 3-3 draw at Ibrox the following week.

Added to Rangers dropping points with both Ross County and Dundee away from home, the title was handed to an unimpressive Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Read Rangers analysis

The collapse remains one of the Ibrox club’s biggest missed opportunities in recent years.

The current crop under Rohl have the chance to rectify this.

If they go top it is symbolic, it puts the pressure on both Hearts and Celtic, with neither used to chasing at this stage of the season.

Playing first adds to the pressure on the duo, if Rangers win both will know they must do the same to keep pace.

Rangers are in a position where if they win all seven of Rohl’s self-described “cup finals,” they will be Champions.

Saturday could be the defining moment.