A fixture update has been confirmed this afternoon by Rangers, with significant consequences and questions raised.
Rangers have confirmed that the home game v Dundee United, orginally set for April 3rd, the last one before the split, has now been brought forward to Sunday 21st February.
📅 FIXTURE UPDATE: Our match against Dundee United at Ibrox scheduled for April 3 has now moved to February 21.
👉 Sunday Feb 21 | Rangers v Dundee United (3pm UK) pic.twitter.com/0FhubspqIh
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 29, 2021
This slot is set in between Rangers Europa League duty, with the round of 32 first leg in Belgium on 18th February before Royal Antwerp come to Glasgow for the return leg on the 25th.
Crucially, this news throws up questions on the viability of this seasons Scottish Cup.
Rangers have no game this weekend because of the postponement to the lower league game in Scotland, as ruled by the SFA, which included the cup.
The Gers were set to host Cove Rangers in the third round of the tournament.
Now, the date for the fourth round, February 20/21, has been taken up by the Dundee United game.
If it survives the schedule squeeze, we could be set for an end of season Scottish Cup format.
Most importantly, this update increases the chance for Rangers to clinch the Premiership title at Parkhead against Celtic on 20th March.
As it stands, Rangers need 24 points to secure the title but that is based on continued wins for Steven Gerrard’s side as well as Celtic.
As each side wins or loses, the variable changes.
One more league game and three more potential points before that trip across the city for Rangers is the key point here.
A fascinating run-in just got a bit more interesting.