WHEN you are Rangers manager, every game is a must-win. The next two carry more significance than most for Steven Gerrard, though.

There have been many important moments in Gerrard’s short managerial career to date but the matches with Spartak Moscow and Aberdeen could be defining for his first season in charge.

Come the end of the week, Rangers’ European ambitions could become clearer and Gerrard could be just 90 minutes away from his maiden winners’ medal as a boss.

That is the dream scenario for the Liverpool legend and his players. It is a situation they are more than capable of manoeuvring themselves into.

The 4-1 victory over Hamilton was an important one as the Gers finally won on their Premiership travels.

After draws with Aberdeen and Motherwell and defeats to Celtic and Livingston that left them off the pace in the title race, Rangers couldn’t afford to slip-up on Sunday.

Had they done so, it wouldn’t have been a disaster for Gerrard and he would still have backed his players to make the most of the time left in the campaign and put together a bid for the silverware. Now attentions will turn to two other goals.

When Gerrard was appointed at Ibrox in the summer, few would have imagined that he would guide his newly-assembled squad into the group stages of the Europa League.

Having achieved that aim, supporters are now daring to dream and the four points earned in the draw with Villarreal and win against Rapid Vienna leaves the Light Blues top of Group G going into Matchday Three .

The Gers will welcome a Spartak Moscow side that are seventh in the Russian Premier League and that lost 3-2 to FC Arsenal Tula yesterday. Their other Euro rivals drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid and lost 3-0 to Hartberg respectively.

While Villarreal and Vienna meet in Spain, Rangers have a chance to move to within touching distance of the knockout stages.

The big occasions and the big crowds have brought out the best in Gerrard’s side so far this term and another evening under the lights will surely inspire the Gers once again.

No matter what happens in the Estadio de la Cerámica, a win for Rangers over Spartak would leave them in a commanding position at the top of the table. If they could move onto seven points, they would perhaps only need a couple more to secure their passage into the next round.

That would be a remarkable achievement for Gerrard and, in terms of kudos and cash, a significant and welcome boost for Rangers. A once seemingly unrealistic ambition could soon become more than achievable.

European football after Christmas would inspire everyone at Ibrox but it is silverware that Gerrard must deliver and domestically where he will be most harshly judged.

And it is for those reasons that the Betfred Cup semi-final with Aberdeen is even more meaningful for Rangers. It would arguably be the biggest win of the season so far if Gerrard can pull it off.

Having been so near yet so far to a major trophy in recent years, the requirement for success in the Cups or the Premiership is clear for Rangers this term.

It would not be a damning indictment on Gerrard if he failed to deliver but that next silverware success is badly required for the club and it would be a huge breakthrough if it could be secured this term.

After all the controversy over venues and debates over tickets, it will soon be time for the talking to be done on the park and the Dons clash is an opportunity Gerrard must make the most of.

The chance to be just one win away from Europa League progression will undoubtedly motivate the Light Blues. The lure of being 90 minutes from League Cup glory will capture the imagination, though, as Rangers prepare for a potentially defining week.