Rangers are heading into their next major test with growing confidence after putting together an impressive run of victories.
Derek McInnes’ side have recovered strongly in the Scottish Premiership and are now preparing for a huge meeting with Celtic in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final.
Rangers’ recent form has transformed the mood around Ibrox. Their latest league victory came against Motherwell, while previous wins against Falkirk and Aberdeen have helped establish momentum ahead of the upcoming Old Firm clash.
The timing could hardly be better.
Rangers will face Celtic at Ibrox on September 13, with a place in the next stage of the League Cup at stake. The fixture promises to be one of the biggest matches of the early Scottish football season.
McInnes will be encouraged by the way his team have responded after a difficult opening period.
Rather than allowing early setbacks to damage their confidence, Rangers have gradually found a winning formula.
The performances have also provided encouragement to supporters who are hoping that the club can mount a serious challenge for silverware this season.
However, Celtic will provide an entirely different test.
The two clubs have already been affected by the controversial decision to exclude away supporters from their domestic meetings for the remainder of the season. As a result, the upcoming Old Firm clash will have a very different atmosphere from previous encounters.
For Rangers, the priority will be maintaining their momentum.
Winning the League Cup quarter-final would provide an early opportunity to demonstrate that the club’s progress under McInnes is genuine.
There is also the psychological importance of beating Celtic.
Old Firm matches are rarely decided simply by league position or recent form. Emotion, pressure and individual moments often play a major role.
McInnes will therefore know that his players must remain disciplined and focused.
Rangers supporters will be hoping that the team’s recent winning run is the beginning of something much bigger. Celtic, meanwhile, will arrive knowing that Rangers have rediscovered their confidence.
The stage is now set.
With the two Glasgow giants preparing to meet at Ibrox, Scottish football is bracing for another huge Old Firm encounter.
And this time, Rangers will enter the contest believing that their recent form gives them a genuine chance of knocking their rivals out of the competition.
