Michael Beale says it's 'unthinkable' for his Rangers players not to win a trophy this season. And the Ibrox gaffer believes if they don't lay their hands on silverware - Old Firm rivals Celtic will clinch a domestic Treble. Beale's side face Aberdeen at Hampden today in the Viaplay Cup semi-final.
Celtic are waiting for them in the final on February 26 after seeing off Kilmarnock. The Hoops are currently nine points clear of Rangers in the Premiership table so have one hand on the title. But Beale wants success in both cup competitions.
The next six days could define Rangers' season under their new boss with a Scottish Cup fourth round clash away to St Johnstone on Saturday. Beale says it's imperative they win at least one trophy this term - and don't open the door to a Celtic clean sweep. He said: "For the players, yes it is (unthinkable), in terms of the standards, the goals, the aims they set for themselves.
"When you start the season, there are three trophies up for grabs. It's unthinkable that they would go elsewhere. Because there's a big probability that they're only going to go to Celtic, if they don't come here. We don't want that, we've had to live that before. So it's important that we try to win every trophy that's in front of us."
Beale will never give up on clawing Celtic back in the title race but he knows they face a huge task in reeling their rivals in. He admits that letting victory slip from their grasp late on in the last Old Firm game at Ibrox was a huge blow. That's why the League Cup and Scottish Cup are vital to the club between now and May.
And Beale says success in either could have an impact on certain players' future at Ibrox. He said: "When you're talking about the league, if you believe deep down with 17 games to go that Celtic might have a tough day or moment - you have to be within striking distance. It's a shame because five minutes killed us against them a couple of weeks ago.
"But we have to keep doing our job, getting better and improving. Some players are playing for their futures because of their contract situations. That's not me being the judge and jury as a new manager. That's their situation. The players deserve credit up to this stage but we know the next week is a tough one."
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