So where does Rangers’ win in Malmo sit among recent scalps that the Ibrox side have taken?
In truth, we admit Malmo are no Real Madrid, but they are a top side, top of their league in a reasonably strong league and they will 100% win the title.
Sweden’s top flight is 24th best in Europe, Scotland sits at a lowly 17th having been as high as 9 not that long ago, but Scotland’s position is purely based on Rangers the past 5 years while Celtic have won a few coefficient points as well by winning the SPL and gaining group entry to the Champions League.
But where does Rangers’ victory there sit?
We can’t say it’s as big as winning in Dortmund, but it probably matches going to Betis and winning there, completely against the odds (as we usually are), to make the last 16 of the Europa League last season, winning the group outright with that victory.
We are not in a hugely good place now, personnel-wise. It does all feel rosier after that win, true, but we don’t want to get caught up in ‘the significance’ because a draw tomorrow v Hibs and suddenly it’s all doom and gloom again.
For us, it was a great win, but it’s already forgotten because Rangers these days are a match at a time.
You are only as good as your last result, and right now Rangers are great but tomorrow that could change.
But just to indulge it, it’s Clement’s best performance and result as Rangers manager, taking a squad that just wasn’t ready, that was missing its whole left side, and managing to outperform and deservedly win at a team in a very good place, about to win their title as they are.
We’re not going to read much more into it yet, it is 5 wins of the last 6 for Clement, STILL with no goals conceded in any of the wins, and if he gets another win at Easter Road tomorrow, maybe, just maybe Clement is finding something.
Very, very early days.
Just what is the fairy dust Rangers have with the Europa League?