Rangers facing ‘intense’ pressure in Viaplay Cup final, journalist shares what can ‘unnerve’ them
Rangers face “intense” pressure to end their 12-year wait for glory in the Viaplay Cup, according to journalist Richard Gordon.
The Light Blues are favourites to lift the trophy for the first time since 2011 but have yet to beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership this season, losing once and drawing the other.
Gordon, writing in the Press and Journal (16 December), thinks underdogs Aberdeen can unnerve their more fancied opponents.
“The pressure on the Ibrox side will be intense. Historically, it is a tournament they have dominated, but their current wait for a win has now gone on even longer than the Dons. Not since March 2011 have they lifted the trophy, and their supporters will be baying for success,” Gordon wrote.
“If Aberdeen can get in their faces early on, secure a foothold in the match, and adopt an aggressive approach, that will undoubtedly have the potential to unnerve the favourites, and unsettle the fans.”
Battle lines drawn
Every final comes with that mix of excitement, fear, and intrigue, but this one feels particularly huge in the context of Rangers and what it might mean for their season going forward under Clement.
After a shoddy start to the campaign under former boss Michael Beale, the Belgian boss has gone about reversing Rangers’ fortunes and a trophy this early into his tenure could absolutely inspire his side in the title fight with Glasgow rivals Celtic.
Which is why Gordon does make a fair point when he speaks of the “intense” pressure Rangers face because failure to get that trophy under the belt might also have negative connotations for their hopes moving forward.
But as a professional footballer you want to be involved in these games, you want to feature in these high-pressure environments, and you want that buzz of lifting the trophy. It is over to the players now to prove they have what it takes to flourish in that pressure cooker.
In other Rangers news, one BBC Scotland pundit has celebrated a financial gain for the club.