Celtic fans told to brace for unexpected Rangers punchline after 'pathetic' scenes
Rangers have endured a nightmare domestic season, but they could forget all about it if they succeed in Europe.
Barry Ferguson's side are set to take on Aberdeen at Sunday lunchtime, and another league defeat would mean Celtic will be confirmed as champions.
Rangers are 16 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, and the title is all but confirmed.
The Gers also suffered a humiliating Scottish Cup defeat to Queen's Park in a season to forget, and they also recently fell to five consecutive defeats at Ibrox, but there is one saving grace.
Rangers Europa League success could humiliate Celtic
The domestic season could all be forgotten if Rangers lift the Europa League, and are still in the fight after what happened at Ibrox on Thursday.
Rangers played host to La Liga side Athletic Bilbao, who have enjoyed a strong campaign as one of the favourites for the tournament.
Robin Propper was sent off early on, but Rangers battled well and even saved a penalty from Alex Berenguer, eventually securing a 0-0 draw.
| Stat | Rangers | Athletic Club |
| Possession (%) | 29 | 71 |
| Shots | 4 | 19 |
| Expected goals | 0.14 | 2.37 |
| Accurate passes | 142 | 477 |
Hugh Keevins has now slammed the Basque side in his column for the Sunday Mail (page 61, April 13), and claimed that Rangers could now win the whole competition.
"If Rangers do finish the job in the Basque country on Thursday night they will likely face a semi-final with Manchester United, a team who have a goalkeeper prone to throwing one in," he claimed.
"Now the Celtic fans must brace for another test of their patience and tolerance levels on Thursday night.
"They have mocked and made fun of Rangers for pretty much most of the season. Now the punchline threatens to be different from the the one they were expecting and they need Pathetic Bilbao to undergo a transformation."
Rangers will face tough match in Bilbao
Despite Athletic Club's poor performance at Ibrox against 10 men, Rangers know that the second leg in the Basque Country is set to be an even tougher challenge.
With the Europa League final set to take place at San Mames, Athletic Bilbao will be extra motivated to reach the final.
They have lost just one home game in La Liga all season, against Atletico Madrid in August, and they are also welcoming key players back to full fitness, with Oihan Sancet only making his first start after injury at Ibrox.
Should Rangers win in Bilbao, they will back themselves to shock the rest of the competition and return to win there, with European success potentially arriving in their worst domestic campaign.