This week is shaping up to tell us everything we need to know about this season's Rangers side.
We have two big games and only two victories are anything close to being acceptable.
Let's deal with Legia Warsaw first. It's a tie Rangers should be winning. It was never going to be easy going to Poland last Thursday, even with their iffy form. However, it was a job well done, even if Alfredo Morelos and Sheyi Ojo both could have grabbed away goals on the night.
With that in mind, though, I'd still fancy Steven Gerrard's team to win on Thursday night and progress to the Europa League group stages for the second season on the bounce.
Whilst the first leg was a largely controlled display from Rangers, in the first half, they gave away far too many chances during the game. I reckon as Legia aren't a team who scores too many goals, they have blown their chance given how that second half panned out.
But as ever, it's up to Rangers to go out on Thursday and press them high from the first minute and ultimately win the match. Anything other than a win would be a bitter blow going into Sunday's league fixture.
It's early days in the league campaign. However, Rangers are finding ways to win. Two performances from the opening three matches have been poor, maybe that's a bit harsh, so I'll say stuffy – Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and St Mirren yesterday. Those were the types of games where Rangers, last season, would huff and puff and fail to get the breakthrough.
However, goals from Connor Goldson at Kilmarnock and Borna Barisic against St Mirren, meaning they are doing enough to get over the line. That's a massive positive to take going forward and it feels like the squad is building a winning mentality that has been missing from Ibrox for too long.
Having said that, with time left in the window, I'd still like to see Ryan Kent come back if a deal is possible. He would add further quality and attacking intent from the wide areas to support the likes of Jordan Jones, Sheyi Ojo and Scott Arfield, which will help Rangers have a different weapon as they look to break down teams like St Mirren and Kilmarnock and others later on in the season when they are content to sit in a low block.
Furthermore, Alfredo Morelos must start the next two matches. In games like Legia and Celtic we need him to bully, hassle and give a Maribor or Midjylland-type performance to help the team carry on this good start to the season. He's certainly capable of it.
Don't get me wrong, Jermain Defoe is a fantastic back-up player but for the biggest games, you need your main men, and for me, Morelos still is the best striker at Rangers.
He will need to have a cool head, which to his credit, he has had so far this season and deserves praise for improving that side of his game.
He will have to have ice in his veins in front of goal over the next two matches to ensure he grabs an important goal or two. This is the perfect time for El Bufalo to break his Old Firm duck. I'm confident he can do so if he's given the starting berth on Sunday. He’s due one against Celtic, isn’t he?
Unfortunately, the last few days have brought punishment from UEFA over the alleged racist signing by the fans at the match against St Joseph's in July. The club, in my opinion, had no other option than to accept the punishment. And unfortunately, fans are now unable to attend such an important match at Ibrox on Thursday, which is a massive blow to the players and the club's coffers.
In terms of the singing, Rangers fans, all of us, need to box clever on this. There is no use blaming one section or pointing fingers. Whether we like it or not, it's all Rangers fans who are in this together. The club is being sanctioned and now is the time to leave certain lyrics and certain songs outside the ground. We all love European nights; we don't want them to be taken away.
The bottom line is: those songs, words and lyrics have to go. It puts the club in a somewhat awkward position given their 'Everyone, Anyone' campaign and unfortunately, it gives others scope to criticise the club and the fans.
This is a period when the plaudits should be heading Rangers' way. It should be all about how Steven Gerrard has done well in the transfer market and how Rangers have started the season with three wins from three and have two massive matches on the horizon. Instead, it's been about naughty songs and words.
The team, the manager and the players shouldn't have to be dealing with this in 2019. As a fanbase, we are incredible, but it's time to be incredible and also be smart.
This is a battle Rangers must win – and they will win it because despite this setback the fans love the club too much. That's not a flippant remark - I believe it's the truth.
As for the battles on the park, I can see two victories this week to set Rangers up nicely for the international break.
