Three things learned about Rangers in 2026-27 already including title race verdict

Rangers have just one more game before the first international break, but we have already learned plenty about the Bears.

The Gers are hoping to push for the Scottish Premiership title but have had a rocky road so far.

Derek McInnes faced intense early pressure in the Ibrox dugout with the his side dropping out of European competition.

It was ultimately a terrible outcome for the Glasgow side, and to this day, still is.

But, ahead of that looming international break, here are three of the biggest lessons already learned so far this season.

Rangers fans need to utilise patience

Backlash during the opening weeks of the season was deserved, and McInnes will admit that himself.

Failing to qualify for any European competition was far from ideal, but since then, an upwards trajectory has occurred.

The G51 outfit are currently on a five-game winning streak in all competitions, and will be looking to continue that against Celtic once more on Sunday.

But if things begin to look south, Rangers fans must have patience as McInnes has shown he can steady and turn the ship around.

The season is long, and there will undoubtedly be moments of doubt, such as the early signs of this campaign brought.

Patience is required.

Rangers are firmly in the title picture

Rangers have already fallen behind by five points in the Scottish Premiership, and that gap could either widen or decrease this weekend.

A win is the desired result, but even then a loss at this stage would not be the end of the world.

When Rangers hired Danny Rohl the Bears were 13 points behind McInnes' Hearts, who led the charge at the time.

While the Glasgow side ultimately fell away at the end of the season, Rohl had brought them back into the title picture by the time the league split came around.

Unfortunately, it would be Celtic that clinched the title against Hearts.

With that experience of losing the title on the closing day to Celtic last year, McInnes can use that to take the final step this time around.

Success may rely on Olwethu Makhanya remaining available

Olwethu Makhanya has been a colossol defender so far for the Bears, and success may rely on him keeping his fitness.

Despite Emmanuel Fernandez being one of Rangers best players last season, Makhanya has somehow come in and has performed just as well.

That partnership of the African duo is as good as any you will find in the Scottish top flight, and as the cliche goes, defence wins championships.

The early days of Makhanya are certainly very promising.