IT has not been the start to the season that Rangers had hoped for but there would be no better time to turn in their best performance of the campaign than against Celtic.

Rangers need a boost, there is no doubt about that, and Sunday is the ideal opportunity in that respect.

A lot of the comment directed towards Mark and the players this season has been negative, and some of it rightly so because they haven’t played as well as they were expected to.

If they could win on Sunday and get into the final, that would be fantastic and a win over Celtic would give everyone – the manager, the players and the fans – a huge lift after a frustrating start to the season. It could prove to be the push that they were looking for.

If they were to lose heavily again, that puts them back a few steps and they will be under pressure again. That is why a win here could be so important.

From the low at Parkhead, they would be on a real high at Hampden.

It is going to be a big ask but this Celtic side can be beaten, as Borussia Monchengladbach proved on Wednesday night.

They are a side that are ninth in the Bundesliga but they are one that would win the Premiership easily. It was no surprise that they won at Parkhead.

The semi-final is a different test for Celtic and Rangers will have to be at it if they are to set up a meeting with Aberdeen or Morton.

The manager has to get it right, the players have got to perform and show that the 5-1 game at Parkhead was just a one-off.

It is a really big game for Rangers, but it could have a significant impact going forward if they get the right result at Hampden.