Celtic’s narrow victory against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday afternoon created further momentum in the SPFL title race.
The result leaves Rangers’ backs against the wall heading into Monday’s pivotal meeting with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Not much has changed, but it confirms the need for Rangers to win their next two games, against Hearts and Celtic.
One point in the capital would mean going into the last three games still trailing Hearts by four points and three behind Celtic. That won’t do.
If Rangers can rise to the challenge on Bank Holiday Monday, the win would breathe new life into the SPFL title race and set up a blockbuster finish across the last three game days.
Rangers can’t afford to repeat slow start
After the first half debacle against Motherwell last week, the Gers players owe themselves and the fans a much better performance.
They need to get it right from the start to avoid having a mountain to climb for the third game in succession.
To their credit, they have shown they can mount a fight, but it was in vain last weekend.
It was too late.
If Rangers bring the determination and application that was displayed in the second half last Sunday, to Tynecastle tomorrow, they will be halfway there.
It will be a battle, set against a full-house in Gorgie with the home fans creating a raucous atmosphere. There will be no hiding place.
The message from Nico Raskin and the dressing room is that they’re going out to win, but they need to back it up.
Do the talking on the pitch.
SPFL title race reckoning
These are the tests that you need to pass if you want to be champions, but Rangers have made it harder than it needed to be.
It would be a shame if all the good work of recent months comes undone, but results like last Sunday will be responsible.
Danny Rohl has indicated that changes will be made for the Hearts clash, and he needs to get it right, as much as the players do.
This is it. Win or bust for Rangers. Twice.
