Rangers manager Mark Warburton has been backed by former player Ally Dawson as the Gers face tough opposition in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
The Ibrox club have been drawn against Hibernian, who pipped them to second place in the Championship last season, but Dawson feels the tough early season fixture is unlikely to determine the Gers’ fate for the upcoming season, or Warburton’s.
“It is a difficult draw, away from home and so early on in the season, but I am sure they will be very well prepared for and it will be down to who is fit and who is up for things at this of the year”, said the 57-year-old to Rangers’ official website.
“I think the manager would have probably been looking for an easier tie because it is a difficult one for them.
“They won’t be judged on it but it will have an impact, potentially, on how the start of the season could pan out and the one big challenge, as well as wanting to win this cup, is winning the league.”
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Rangers faced Hibs at the same stage of the competition last season. Dawson has cited last season’s tie as an example that early season games don’t offer pointers to how the season will pan out.
The Ibrox club defeated Hibernian in the cup tie last season, but finished below them in the Championship.
“Those who played at Easter Road the last time will draw on that and Hibs were probably unfortunate at that time but at the same time Rangers played well.
“At the start of the season everything is new and it is very difficult for everybody therefore whoever takes their opportunities on the day will come out on top”, he added.
The cup tie will be manager Warburton’s first taste of competitive action in charge of the Gers. The game is scheduled for the 25th of July, a week before they play in the League Cup.
The Scottish Championship starts on the 8th of August. Rangers will be up against St Mirren, who were relegated from the Premiership in 2014/15.
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