Rangers’ hot start equals record set during the 1995-96 campaign

Rangers are full of confidence early in the season after claiming nine points from their first three games.

Rangers are off to the perfect start in their quest to halt Celtic from claiming their tenth consecutive league title, a tally that would set a new record in Scotland, but there is still a long way to go. Steven Gerrard came into this campaign with tremendous pressure resting on his shoulders to reach new heights with Rangers.

Although the first three games of the season do not dictate the title race by any means, it is fair to say that Gerrard’s men are enjoying their football at the moment, and some might argue that they have the confidence of champions.

Nine points are in the bag after earning three straight victories over Aberdeen, St. Mirren, and St. Johnstone, and scoring seven goals in the process. What is more impressive, however, is the fact that Rangers maintained clean sheets in all three clashes, a statistic that matches a record dating back to the start of the 1995-96 campaign.

Playing without the presence of fans at home and on the road has not had a negative impact on Rangers so far this season. With an average possession of 70% in their first three games, a passing accuracy rating of 88%, and 58 total shot attempts, James Tavernier and company look like legitimate title contenders.

The club’s next five games will be against Livingston (A), Kilmarnock (H), Hamilton (A), Dundee United (H), and Hibernian (A). Rangers will be favorites on paper across the board in those games, but fans that bleed blue have seen their side drop the ball in must-win games against mediocre opposition several times over the past two seasons.

Consistency will be the key to success for Rangers, especially when they take on Kilmarnock, who already stole a point from Celtic, and undefeated Hibernian in order to widen the gap with Celtic. As a result of Boli Bolingoli’s secret trip to Spain, Celtic’s next two games against St. Mirren and Aberdeen postponed, and the defending champions will be forced to play catch up from the start.

So long as Gerrard can keep the Gers focused on the task at hand and take maximum points from their next few games, Celtic will be forced to cope with new, unnecessary pressure in a potentially historic campaign.