Europa League humiliation could be the key to Premiership success for Rangers
COMMENT
By Abigail Withey
When Rangers crashed out of the Europa League qualifying round to Luxembourg outfit Progres Niederkorn at the beginning of July, fans had every right to be worried.
Admittedly, not all of Caixinha’s new signings were playing – Bruno Alves was a notable absentee – but with just over a month to go before the start of the Premiership, it didn’t bode well.
Rangers scraped a 1-0 victory against Progres at the end of June, but just five days later the squad crumbled and couldn’t find the away goal as the Luxembourg minnows knocked two goals in the back of the net.
Losing 2-1 on aggregate to the fourth best club in Luxembourg was – let’s not mince words – a disaster. And fans must have feared it would leave a dark cloud over the rest of the team’s pre-season preparations.
Amazingly, the humiliating defeat seems to have had the exact opposite effect.
Since bowing out of the Europa League, Caixinha’s squad has gone from strength to strength – and over the past week the team have displayed promise of riches to come this season.
The week began with a 1-1 draw against Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in a friendly, and as the squad spent more time together Rangers flourished in some tough matches in England.
Rangers impressed in a 2-1 friendly victory against Watford, with summer recruit Daniel Candeias scoring the opening goal for the Gers and Martyn Waghorn adding the second.
The resurgence continued on to Sunday’s friendly match against Sheffield Wednesday, where the Light Blues secured another fantastic win – this time scoring two goals without conceding.
If Rangers can take this form into the opening matches of the Premiership, the Europa defeat could end up being one of the best things to happen this season.
Who wouldn’t sacrifice a debilitating run in the Europa League for a shot at the big prize this season?
Rangers start their Premiership campaign on Sunday away against Motherwell.
In other Rangers news, the club’s new signings are set to dominate the Premiership starting XI.