Chris Sutton could only respond with a mocking laugh when Rangers legend Kris Boyd claimed, after the 5-2 comeback victory over Dundee on Tuesday night, that the ‘treble is still on’.
But while maybe unlikely at this stage – especially after that damaging Old Firm derby defeat over the weekend – there must be a tiny hint of concern in the back of Sutton’s mind.
A slip up away at an impressive Kilmarnock outfit is a very real possibility for Brendan Rodgers’ side, after all, with the Scottish Cup final later this month also giving Rangers another shot at revenge.
Of course, The Gers’ destiny is no longer in their own hands. All Philippe Clement‘s side can do is win and hope.
And, after Dundee raced into a shock two-goal lead at Ibrox on Tuesday, Rangers did exactly that, a stirring second-half fightback ensuring that those on the blue side of Glasgow cannot be counted out yet, rising from the canvas to keep the fight going.
Todd Cantwell inspires Rangers fightback vs Dundee
“I was very happy with his second half, yeah,” Clement said after a win which keeps Rangers three points adrift of Celtic with one Premiership match remaining.
The performance of Todd Cantwell was particularly pleasing for the big Belgian.
There may have been an element of luck about the goal which gave Rangers the lead for the first time over Tony Docherty’s side – the Dundee boss labelling a mishit cross which flew into the top corner a ‘fluke’ – but this was one of the finest 45 minute performances of any player across the entire campaign.
For Clement, this was a reminder of what Cantwell can do, and must do more often.
“That is the Todd I want to see every time,” Clement adds, Cantwell also setting up Cyriel Dessers’ 22nd goal of the season to cancel out Dundee’s lead. “Then, he makes the difference, then he makes stats, then he is important for this club.
“It needs to be this fire, desire every time, with and without the ball. Not only one thing.”
Philippe Clement’s side keep title hopes alive
Theformer Norwich City playmaker now has seven goals and seven assists to his name across 2023/24. On a night in which Rangers’ next generation staked their claim – Leon King, Cole McKinnon and Robbie Fraser impressing while Ross McCausland scored in his most lively display in weeks – it was a man brought in during the Mick Beale era who grabbed the occasion by the scruff of the neck.
“(Cantwell) was instrumental in the second half,” Boyd tells Sky Sports, backing his old employers to end the season with three tropghies rather than one. “Rangers were really poor in the first half but in the second half came out and took the game to Dundee and scored some really good, well worked goals.”
Boyd was also full of praise forScott Wright, who found the net twice in a glittering cameo. With Wright one of many Rangers players facing an uncertain future beyond this season, this was a display which could hardly have been better timed.
“Scott Wright when he came on, he got the two goals,” the former striker adds. “But there was also a work rate, desire and willing to run. I think a lot of it came from a few of the young boys coming on and getting an opportunity and they done well.
“And the treble is still on.”
