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As Rangers prepared to take on Benfica last-16, they already had the League Cup in the bag and looked set to challenge for the Europa League, Premiership and Scottish Cup. Unfortunately, the Gers were their own worst enemy as defeat in Glasgow marked a decline in form that saw them fail to add to the solitary piece of silverware.
Revolution vs Evolution
The transfer activity over the summer would indicate that Philippe Clement believes an overhaul is needed to challenge Celtic’s dominance. Key players of recent years Connor Goldson and John Lundstram are among the big names to have been unceremoniously shown the door as part of the nine-man exodus with James Tavernier and Todd Cantwell expected to follow. Nine replace them, including Oscar Cortes on a permanent deal following his loan and Connor Barron from Aberdeen.
A lack of new contracts other than a one-year deal for Leon Balogun and Clement himself indicates that the rest of the side that made up a slightly disappointing season might only have a year to prove that they deserve a place in the Belgian revolution at Ibrox.
Meanwhile doubts over Steven Naismith’s suitability for the Hearts job have faded since his side put a bumper twelve points between themselves and fourth-placed Kilmarnock. There has been no major overhaul for the Jambos this summer, who will instead look to use the upcoming season to consolidate their place behind Celtic and their opponents this weekend. Alex Cochrane is the big loss as he heads to League One side Birmingham but fans will be lifted by the arrival of Yan Dhanda.
A bright spark in an otherwise difficult season for Ross County, Dhanda’s move was agreed in the previous transfer window, giving Hearts fans half a season to look forward to their new signing. There are further incomings expected in the coming days as Naismith looks to build a little depth ahead of a long campaign that could potentially see them play in four competitions.
Finally, some tensions begin to rise to the surface as Rangers continue to eye up key man Lawrence Shankland. The boyhood Gers fan would cost a fair sum but might prove the missing piece in Glasgow but a potentially irreplaceable loss in the capital.
European nights in store?
Rangers’ run in Europe failed to match their 2021-22 exploits that saw them bested in by Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties having thrilled fans en route to the final. The following year was a pummelling at the hands of Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli in their Champions League group.
Philippe Clement will back his signings to carry the side further this year as they face Dinamo Kyiv to earn a place in the Play-off round that stands between them and the new look UCL.
Squad depth will be key this season as the manager was often without a large contingent as the season wore on. If the injury woes of last season can be avoided, they should have enough to compete on multiple fronts and add some trophies to the cabinet.
Hearts might take some comfort in the fact that they are already better off than they were last year as they were comfortably dispatched in the Conference League Play-off round by Greek side PAOK (6-1 on aggregate). They now await their opponent for their last hurdle before the group stages.
With St Mirren and Kilmarnock still in the running the make the European third tier, this could be a bumper for Scottish football as it looks to shed the burden of its lacklustre Euro showing and rediscover some form on the European stage.
Ibrox Woes
The relationship between Rangers fans and their board has been tense in recent months, many lamenting the lack of investment in January as part of the reason the side fell away towards the tail end of the season.
So the fact that Ibrox won’t be ready for the opening games of their season will do nothing to win back the disgruntled supporters. Blame has been laid at the door of a shipment company from Asia, responsible for sending over building materials but excuses won’t matter much as their home fixtures look set to be held at Hampden Park and potentially Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Already without bragging rights in Glasgow, not playing home fixtures in your ground will be further ammunition for Celtic fans to poke fun at their rivals. Expect plenty of tabloid puns should Rangers encounter a different set of on-field problems.
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