What's happened
Rangers aim to reclaim domestic relevance as they prepare for an Old Firm cup tie with Celtic, with McInnes stressing the need for silverware and a strong home performance at Ibrox.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Rangers are positioning the cup tie as a catalyst to restore relevance and momentum under McInnes.
- The focus is on translating late domestic results into sustained cup progress, leveraging Ibrox’s atmosphere to unsettle Celtic.
- The narrative frames the match as a potential turning point for Rangers’ trophy ambitions this season.
- The development could redefine expectations around Rangers’ competitive standing in Scotland if they win or progress.
Potential consequences
- A win could reframe the season’s trajectory, enabling a platform for further silverware.
- A loss could intensify scrutiny on McInnes and squad depth ahead of a congested fixture list.
How we got here
Rangers have waned in domestic success in recent years, trailing Celtic in trophies and domestic dominance. Manager McInnes is targeting a strong cup run and a positive home environment ahead of the two upcoming clashes with Celtic, including a cup quarter-final and a league fixture.
Our analysis
The Scotsman: Mark Atkinson; BBC Business; The Scotsman: Mark Atkinson; The Scotsman: Mark Atkinson
Go deeper
- Will Rangers’ home form finally translate into trophy success this season?
- How will Celtic respond after their cup-quarter-final win and the incidents surrounding the fan reaction?
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