Audible concern from Rangers supporters about elements of their team’s pre-season performances may not be relevant. Two years ago, an Ibrox defeat of Real Madrid fuelled giddy assertions that Rangers would retain the Scottish Premiership. Celtic, who had just hired Ange Postecoglou, appeared in turmoil. By the following May the league flag had returned to Celtic Park.
The previous Scottish top-flight campaign of 2020-21 was freakish because of Covid but also, it is increasingly apparent, in terms of outcome. For more than a decade, Glasgow’s green-and-white half have dwarfed all others in respect of trophy return. Rangers look like one-season wonders.
