Rangers' title mentality questioned as 'psychologically scarred fans' sent major Hearts-Celtic warning
Rangers must overcome hurdle to win title, says TV pundit
Rangers have been told their hopes of winning the Scottish Premiership title this season will hinge on their ability to overcome their ‘psychological scars’.
Danny Rohl’s men are currently three points behind league leaders Hearts in third place after last week’s narrow 1-0 win over St Mirren, with just eight league games remaining. Glasgow rivals Celtic are a point ahead of them in second.
Rangers will host Aberdeen and Dundee United at Ibrox in their next two games, before Rohl’s side face an away game at Falkirk. The Scottish Premiership will then split for the final five games of the campaign, and Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart believes their mental toughness will be tested.
"It was huge for them to win at St Mirren, just to react to the cup exit [against Celtic],” said Stewart. “They've got two home games to build a bit of momentum, then their last game is against Falkirk before the split. So, as much as we're talking about the impact of drawing at home against Celtic and then losing in the cup, if you're able to put three wins together, it sort of pushes it away slightly.
"The big concern for Rangers is, post-split, they'll definitely have to go away to two title rivals. They’ll have to go to Parkhead and Tynecastle. That would be a bit of a concern in the back of the mind. When you're talking about the mentality of the Rangers team over the last few years, not just the team, but the fans are scarred psychologically from it. They've got a big hurdle to get over if they're to have a genuine hope of lifting the trophy.”
Discussing Rangers' title hopes with Stewart, ex-Ibrox full-back Alan Hutton believes his former employers can still emerge victorious this season. While he accepts the recent penalty shootout defeat against Celtic in the Scottish Cup will have an effect on the team’s confidence, he refused to write off Rangers winning an extremely tight title race.
"[The penalty shootout defeat to Celtic] is definitely a blow,” said Hutton. “Even if you look at the league game against Celtic, then the Scottish Cup game, there's no getting away from it. It definitely dents your confidence. Do I think they can still do it? Yes, I think they're still capable. They're within three points.
“This is going to be a crazy end to this league - I am absolutely sure of it. But I'd still say Hearts are favourites. I'm not going to nail it on and say someone is definitely going to do it, though, because it could go either way. Rangers are capable, but it'll be more like they grind results out. I don't see them ending the season and playing amazing football, and everything coming together. They just have to grind it out.”
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