Rangers now have a cup final date that will impact the next six weeks and six fixtures, one way or another.
The Premier Sports Cup final between Rangers and Hibernian will take place on Sunday 13 December, meaning the St Johnstone game initially scheduled for that day will be rearranged.
Between now and then, six games will take place, with the players having an added incentive. It could also be described as another pressure, but that has to be interpreted in a positive way.
Rangers are expected to compete for trophies and to rise when it matters – the upcoming League Cup final should be no different.
The semi-final win was a key test, but now they need to go all the way.
Playing for a place in the final
For players such as Dan Neil and James Penrice, the upcoming opportunity is a big part of why they made the move to Ibrox.
For the likes of Ryan Naderi, Kevin Kelsy, Badredine Bouanani and Minsu Kim, they are learning more about the club, and the demands to win trophies.
Even more established figures like Nico Raskin and Dujon Sterling haven’t lifted silverware as much as everyone would have liked to.
They aren’t serial winners, and that is part of the challenge. To make these occasions happen more often.
So, how will the players react when they know that a cup final is looming on the horizon?
Consistency and quality to follow for Rangers?
It would be great to think that the next few weeks will see an upturn in quality and consistency, with players vying for a cup final berth.
However, I don’t think it will be as straightforward as that.
The current block of fixtures is rounded off with Saturday’s visit to St. Mirren, then we have the November international break.
A two-week hiatus follows, before the final three games of the month.
Away to Motherwell, home to Aberdeen, and home to Falkirk.
There’s a massive opportunity that lies ahead in the title race, as well as the cup final next month that the players need to grasp.
As December 13 draws closer, anticipation and expectation will increase, and that is a privilege that this team should relish.
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