According to Alan Rough, Rangers have suffered a “massive blow” in their match scheduling, as they will now face Tottenham and Celtic in four days next month
Speaking on PLZ Soccer on November 4, after the Light Blues sealed their spot in an Old Firm League Cup final with a 2-1 win over Motherwell the day before, the ex-Scotland goalie stated the impending double-header on December 12 and 15 is something that any team would struggle with.
Tam McManus does not believe Gers fans will be looking forward to another match against their Glasgow rivals in the final because to the relative quality of either team right now, and Rough believes the Spurs test coming directly before makes it even worse.
McManus (27m) stated: “They have a major test coming up in the final against a Celtic team that is firing on all cylinders.
“There’ll be a lot of Rangers supporters not looking forward to that final.”
While Rough subsequently asked (30m 40s): “Am I correct in saying they play Tottenham three days before the cup final?” That’s a major setback for any club.”
Philippe Clement is under significant pressure at Rangers.
The reality for Rangers and struggling manager Philippe Clement is that avoiding a defeat that some believe would have resulted in his dismissal in the semi-finals has simply set up a tough final.
The Belgian has yet to defeat Brendan Rodgers in five Glasgow derbies, and with the Hoops defeating Aberdeen 6-0 in the other semi-final, there will be few expectations for success in his sixth effort.
He is under intense pressure to leave his position after losing to the Dons, who are nine points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, so a humiliating defeat on his return to Hampden on December 15 will only add to calls for him to leave, if he is still in control at the time.
It looks he will remain, barring something unexpected, as the Ibrox management have obviously committed to long-term backing come what may this season and future [BBC Sport, 1 November], as they aim to break through
This Gers side is unlikely to get much out of Spurs in any case, but the fact that the Premier League club is led by former Parkhead foe Ange Postecoglou adds to the potential headache in six weeks.
A loss to the London team would be unpleasant but not surprising, however a thrashing at the hands of the Australians would not be well received.
And if the Light Blues’ performance in the Europa League match at Ibrox has a bad impact on their bid to defend the League Cup just three days later, it will be a sad week in Govan.
Rangers have little option but to view both games as opportunities to right some wrongs and shift the narrative surrounding them, but the crowd is skeptical that the present team is capable of doing so.
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