The season hadn’t even started yet but Alex Rae could feel it.
On the training pitches at The Campus in Portugal, the former Rangers midfielder mixed with current players and staff.
And he sensed something special in the offing.
Steven Gerrard ’s side have proved nothing yet, despite their terrific start in both their Premiership and Europa League campaigns.
But Rae is convinced this could be the year Rangers clinch silverware again.
He won the title at Ibrox in 2005 so knows what it takes and he reckons there’s now a belief within Gerrard’s players they can end Celtic’s dominance.
Rae said: “I watched training in Portugal and spoke to the Rangers staff.
“Immediately, I noticed there was an energy coming off them. A real belief that something was happening.
“There was unity there. They were so encouraged by what was going on.
“The group believe they can achieve something this year. And when you look at the start they’ve made, it would suggest they’re right.
“The free-flowing style of play, the squad rotation – you can understand where that belief is coming from.
“And, ultimately, it stems from Gerrard. Most of the squad are a year down the line under the manager.
“For years, the Old Firm’s been a miss match, it was embarrassing. Celtic were winning at a canter.
“But Rangers have some proper players going up against Celtic now.
“I’ve seen significant progress in the past 12 months – but they have to take the next step now by winning the title.”
We’re only two games into the Premiership campaign but Rae believes both clubs will be neck and neck by the season’s run-in.
And with Celtic reeling after their Champions League exit, and Betfred Cup struggle against Dunfermline, the ex-Gers star says the pressure’s on Neil Lennon.
He said: “The last week has shown how quickly things can change in Glasgow over such a short period.
“What you’ve witnessed in the last week is real pressure on Celtic. The key thing for Rangers is to keep applying it. Because if they hadn’t started the way they have done, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
“A year ago, Rangers were dropping points in the first few league games so Celtic were always on the front foot.”
Rae hasn’t been convinced by Celtic’s recruitment either and believes their hesitancy after Brendan Rodgers’ departure last term has
cost them.
He said: “Rangers can’t take anything for granted because of the players Celtic have middle to front.
“But their defence was always going to be an issue for them this season because of the transition.
“Recruitment has been more difficult for them recently.
“They have a temporary head of recruitment in there now, which is astonishing.
“There are question marks over who’s actually signing the players. Celtic should have handled it a lot better and got to work on their
targets a lot earlier.”
Watch St Mirren v Rangers today from 11.45am on BT Sport 1 or via the BT Sport App. For more info visit bt.com/sport
