They know they are heading out of Rangers but next week's Champions League finale with Ajax still holds great significance for the Light Blues.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is under increasing pressure amid a poor string of domestic performance and trailing Celtic in the Premiership title race. A dream return to the European top table has ended disastrously in Group A alongside Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax, set to close out the group at Ibrox against the latter after five straight losses.
They have lost those matches by a whopping aggregate score of 19-1 after Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Napoli, and it leaves them and Viktoria Plzen desperately trying to avoid becoming the competition's 'worst ever' side. A goal difference of -19 by scoring three times and conceding 22 goals was set by Dinamo Zagreb in terms 2011/12 and is the score not to beat and here's five ways it could pan out for Rangers next Tuesday.
READ MORE: Napoli shocked by Rangers as young guns show Gio van Bronckhorst how it's done on European away day
Win
The easiest option, well, on paper. Amazingly, Ajax only have three points in this section too so the small matter of a 5-0 win for Rangers next week would grant them a Europa League place after Christmas. Unfortunately, Ajax's three points came against the Light Blues in a 4-0 drubbing.
Draw
Not outstanding but this would at least show improvement. Rangers need something to lift their spirits and some sort of reward against the Dutch side would at least see them get on the board.
Lose
Currently the Ibrox goal difference is -18, perilously close to Zagreb's -19 from 11 years ago. Just a two-goal defeat would see Rangers edge over that, which can't be allowed to happen.
Viktoria Plzen loss
There could be a saving grace for Van Bronckhorst's men even if they do get beat, let's say 2-0. Yes, they would overtake Zagreb, but should Viktoria Plzen on -17 lose 4-0, then they'd take the wooden spoon instead.
Viktoria Plzen points
It's highly unlikely but against a Barca side already out of this competition, you never know. Taking this year alone as one entity, any points from the Czech side and zero for Rangers would see the latter end this UCL campaign as the worst team in it. Ouch.
READ NEXT:
- Rangers to honour legendary boss Walter Smith with statue at Copland Road end of Ibrox
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst's grim Rangers sack scenario as pundit claims Napoli rout could force axe
- Club 1872 sound Rangers SOS siren as Dave King set to intervene amid 'number of concerns' at Ibrox
- Ally McCoist reacts to Jason Cundy's talkSPORT rant with 'miles behind' Celtic and Rangers verdict
