- Charlie Adam has challenged the current crop of Rangers players to prove their worth in the heat of title battle
- He acknowledged the situation, but stated this is when top Rangers players seize the opportunity
- Monday’s meeting with Hearts is win or bust – there will be no hiding place if another disappointment unfolds
Charlie Adam has challenged the Rangers players to show they are worth their shirt.
The Dundee-native was speaking from experience when it comes to performing under pressure for Rangers.
He was part of squads that won trophies, getting the business done under the late, great Walter Smith.
He performed ‘above his level’ in the Champions League and went on to carve out a solid career in the Premier League with Blackpool, Liverpool, and Stoke City.
Yes, it’s not easy playing in front of the Ibrox crowds with the incessant demands and need to perform, but his message was that the privilege needs to be embraced.
Especially when there’s a league title up for grabs.
Charlie Adam says the players need to stand up
Charlie Adam knows the Motherwell defeat makes things more difficult for Danny Rohl’s side, but he has called on them to stand up and be counted.
“It’s massive for Rangers on Monday night — they need to win a football match, he told the Scottish Sun.
“But it’s a helluva’ game isn’t it? Half five on a Bank Holiday Monday at Tynecastle? That’s tasty.
“The place will be bouncing — and now the players need to stand up. It was a difficult 45 minutes against Motherwell the other day.
“To be fair, when they got back to 2-2, watching it I thought they were going to go on to win it.
“Then there was that moment it went away from them, just when you were thinking a draw and a point could’ve still been okay.
Precisely the time to deliver
The capital calling is win-or-bust for Rangers. That’s all there is to it.
The fans are expecting a response to last Sunday’s loss and a spirited performance is the minimum required. This impending game won’t be about pretty football, but the outcome.
Adam continued, “Now we’ve got Monday night against Hearts and I still think the title race is open, still think there will be twists and turns with four games to go.
“I also believe Rangers will still be in it after Tynecastle. Rangers beat Hearts and, wow, it will make for a fantastic final three-game run-in. But the players HAVE to pull out a big performance. This is precisely the time to show why you are a Rangers player.
“You have to bounce back and, by the way, there’s an Old Firm game the following week.
“You can’t think too far ahead, but to go back to back against your two nearest rivals away from home, it will be some statement.
“But firstly, you’re going to Tynecastle and Hearts have not lost there in the league all season.”
