This is why Rangers FC are true title contenders this season

Rangers FC have been a second-place team since Steven Gerrard joined, but the narrative is different this season.

The title race in the Scottish Premiership is heating up as Rangers FC and rivals Celtic trade places at the top of the table. Hibernian are not far behind, but the giants from Glasgow are expected to widen the gap after the international break.

Both teams have enjoyed great runs of form through Matchweek 10, but the next game on the calendar will be massive: The Old Firm Derby. Rangers and Celtic have asserted their primacy in the league against others, but now they have the opportunity to show who the real top dog is.

Putting the derby aside for now, let us take a look at a key statistic that has turned Rangers into a real title threat this season. There are obviously multiple factors that have contributed to this stellar form, but having diverse scoring options is one of the most important.

Through 10 games this season, Rangers have seen 11 different players from across the pitch land on the scoresheet. Of the 24 goals scored so far, James Tavernier (5), Ryan Kent (4), and Alfredo Morelos (3) lead the way for the Light Blues.

Here is a complete list of players who have found the back of the net this season:

• ATT: Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten
• MID: Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield, Ianis Hagi, Jordan Jones, Joe Aribo, Brandon Barker
• DEF: James Tavernier, Borna Barisic

In addition to contributing with goals, six of the players listed above have also combined to complete 15 assists for their teammates.

What fans are witnessing from Rangers this season is a team finding success through collective effort. The fact that the squad is this focused and consistent despite also competing in the Europa League is impressive, and Gerrard deserves to be praised for that discipline.