This next month is absolutely vital in the context of Rangers’ season and Philippe Clement’s journey at the club.
But then again, how many months don’t feel hugely significant? It's the reality of life at Ibrox.
With that said, Rangers have a monumental month on the horizon. There’s no other way to phrase it. They travel away to Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in the space of 10 days, two games traditionally amongst the hardest on the fixture calendar.
That’s before we talk about a vital European game with pressure to return maximum points after that loss against Lyon. Facing Olympiacos in the Europa League, who came out on top in the Conference League last season, is no small feat. Then there’s a League Cup Semi-Final at Hampden.
We’re already a fair few points behind in the table and that gap can’t afford to grow with such tricky trips on the horizon. Maximum points against FSCB at Ibrox next Thursday will be expected, while Clement’s team are expected to progress to the final of a League Cup trophy they lifted last November.
It’s fair to say that this next stretch is vital. It’s a defining period that will tell how our season will likely unfold.
The difficulty for Clement? If this spell goes wrong then the support might just lose faith. A supplement that is already in short supply.
Rangers need to improve their performance, individually and collectively, to get results.
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- Injuries, worrying trends and Clement's promise - Assessing Rangers' season so far
Perhaps it’s time for some of the players Clement has invested in to hit form and carry the team forward, or maybe it’s time for some of the old guard to show their worth? Whoever it is, Clement needs players to come to the fore and find form.
Can Nedim Bajrami hit the type of form he’s hinted at so far and become the No.10 this squad needs, or will a role for the Albanian on the left persist due to injury issues? Will Cyriel Dessers hit form with the return of a firing Danilo? Will the midfield click? Can Mohamed Diomande begin to start running matches in the middle?
There are so many questions and unknowns heading into the next month of football.
As a supporter, I simply hope things come together. Although speaking more in hope than expectation, this run of fixtures also presents the possibility of acting as a catalyst.
Off the pitch, John Gilligan has told the support that he and George Letham are providing the leadership that is required at Ibrox while the search for a CEO and Chairman persists.
On the pitch, Clement has promised Rangers will hit form around November. Time is very much ticking.
The AGM is fast around the corner. The state that Rangers arrive at that particular meeting will, very much, be dictated by the next four weeks of fixtures.
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