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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Jonny McFarlane

Rangers have turned a corner and there are three players who have made it happen

Rangers may be sitting eleven points behind Celtic in the race for the title but former Ibrox captain Lee McCulloch watched the 3-0 win over Ross County on Sunday convinced better times lie ahead.

Philippe Clement's men have suffered from a lack of cutting edge this term, but the return of Danilo from injury, Ianis Hagi from contractual banishment and Hamza Igamane's sudden and spectacular acclimatisation to Scottish football have seen attacking vigour restored.

With 13 goals in the last three games, Rangers' resurgence couldn't have come at a better time with two huge tests just around the corner.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs may be struggling but Clement wasn't wrong to call them one of the best teams in the world. It's less than a month since they dismantled Manchester City 4-0 on their own turf - while Celtic await in the Premier Sports Cup Final on Sunday.

And McCulloch points to the sudden plethora of forward options as why he's filled with confidence for the tests to come.


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"Rangers have definitely turned a corner," he asserted. "I think with the performance at the weekend and the way they started the game, the speed they passed the ball, the chances created, goals scored - it was very, very convincing. You can't disagree with that. It sets us up for a massive week ahead. Probably, Rangers are in the best position they've been in all season with Hagi, Danilo, and Igamane getting game time and the manager being able to rotate the squad.

"Coming up are two massive games, the most important one being Spurs because it's the next one and it's a chance to go and progress. I think there are options there for a manager, I think there's confidence back in the dressing room and I think there's that connection with the stands as well. So it's positive this week.

"When you look at that performance yesterday, I think there is hope. Spurs have got good individual players, they're playing in one of the best leagues in the world. But when it comes down to a one-off game, you're at home, it's a full house, you use the atmosphere and you're in good form yourself, then I would say bring it on.

"It's a chance to go and probably cement qualification, isn't it. When you've got a full stadium, it doesn't matter who you're playing, when you've got a full stadium you use them as your twelfth man. There's teams all around the world that struggle to play in a full stadium out there and you've got to use that. I think the key to that is starting the game well.

"I watched a bit of their game yesterday and they're 2-0 up, they were brilliant. They're playing against Chelsea, right enough! But there's a bit of a fragile side to them and that's where, as a Rangers player, you've got to take confidence for that and believe that you can use the fans out there and go and put a right show on and get a result."

One of the intriguing elements of Spurs arriving to play Europa League football at Ibrox is the return of former Celtic manager Postecoglou. The Greek-Aussie is sure to get a hot reception, especially if there's a sense that he's a manager under pressure.

Ange Postecoglou during his side's loss to ChelseaAnge Postecoglou during his side's loss to Chelsea (Image: SNS) McCulloch said: "As a player, you kind of get involved in that, but I completely see it. A guy who managed in Scotland for the club's biggest rivals coming back here... He'll know the reception that he'll probably get. That's for other people, it's just about starting the game well and getting the fans and the terraces with you. There's no reason why they can't.

"After the result and performance on Sunday, you're set up perfectly. You're going into Thursday with no fear. Regardless of who plays on Thursday, I think there's a chance there. Celtic is a bigger game. No doubt about it, but you need to go into Thursday first and park Sunday mentally. You need to go and get one step closer to getting into the next stages and the manager will just be hoping to be injury-free after that game."

*Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch was speaking at Ibrox to promote The Rangers Youth Development Company, their latest Lotto campaign and Christmas products.

RYDC have a range of prints, mugs, coasters and Christmas decorations to buy now at www.rydc.co.uk and fans can also sign up to Rangers Lotto.

All profit goes to the Rangers Academy and more than £11.5 million has been provided so far with RYDC’s latest donation to be revealed early in 2025.

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