Souness Urges Rangers to Maintain Momentum Against Dundee for Premiership Challenge

Graeme Souness, a legendary figure at Rangers, is sounding the alarm for the team to guard against any signs of complacency despite their significant turnaround in form. As Rangers prepare for a crucial clash against Dundee this weekend, a seventh consecutive league win would not only propel them to the top of the Premiership but also intensify pressure on their fierce rivals, Celtic, ahead of their match against Hearts on Sunday.

After a tumultuous start to the season, which included a disappointing home defeat to Hibernian and early exits from European competitions against teams like Jagiellonia Białystok and Jablonec, Derek McInnes’ side has made emphatic strides in recent weeks. A perfect September restored confidence and created a newfound optimism at Ibrox, yet Souness warns that this success needs to be more than just a phase; it should set the standard moving forward.

Speaking in an interview with This Is Ibrox to promote his new book *My Rangers: How I Changed Scottish Football For Ever*, Souness reflected on the importance of consistency following the team's back-to-back victories over Celtic. "We’ve had two really good games against Celtic, and we’ve now planted a seed in their head that we’re better than them," he stated. However, he cautioned, "if we lose or draw some stupid games going forward, that seed will disappear." Maintaining this winning mentality is critical if Rangers are to solidify their resurgence.

Desire for Aggression and Focus

Souness has been particularly impressed by the determination displayed by Rangers in their latest outings and emphasized the need for such levels of aggression in every match. "We looked like a team of men," he remarked. "We were first to everything, and we were bullying Celtic. Please, do that every week." He draws an important comparison to his time at Liverpool, contrasting the competitive nature of games against Manchester United with those against smaller teams, which they often dominated. His analysis suggests that Rangers must replicate that intensity consistently.

“All of a sudden, we looked like a team of men and like we all know what we’re doing,” Souness continued. Reflecting on how the game often develops the mentality necessary to succeed against strong opponents, he noted that his team’s preparation and attitude during those encounters were crucial. For McInnes and his squad, this means approaching every match, especially those against teams perceived as underdogs, with the same urgency and respect.

Expectations of Rangers and Lessons Learned

Leading Rangers to three league titles during his managerial stint, Souness recognized the immense pressure associated with managing such a storied club. He recounted his own early struggles with these expectations, admitting, "I made a schoolboy error in my first interview. I said: 'I don’t care if we lose to Celtic every time as long as we win the league.' I quickly realised that that’s unacceptable." For Rangers, beating Celtic is intertwined with their aspirations for league success.

McInnes is no stranger to the demands of the role, having played under pressure at Glasgow Rangers before stepping into the managerial position. He has shown resilience by overcoming a rocky start to the season, rallying the players and transforming their form. Nevertheless, Souness insists that the team is far from finished in its climb back to the top of Scottish football. "Although we’ve turned an enormous corner, don’t be thinking the hard work’s done. The hard work’s still ahead," he stated, reinforcing the need to stay focused and driven.

Challenges Ahead

An ongoing theme in Souness's message is the recognition that each match is an opportunity that teams often treat as their final chance to prove themselves. "Every time they go out and play, they’re confronted by a team where it’s their cup final," he explained. This mentality of treating every match with the utmost seriousness is a cornerstone for success, and it requires maintaining focus and intensity throughout the season.

As Rangers head into the fixture against Dundee, the fight for league supremacy continues, but so does the need for sustained excellence. "When you’re playing for Rangers, you can’t pick and choose when you’re at 100 percent," Souness insisted. "It has to be every single time, so your mentality has to be spot on.” The upcoming game is a test of both character and skill, as the team aims to solidify their place at the summit of the Premiership.

The full interview with Souness can be viewed on the This Is Ibrox YouTube channel: youtube.com/thisisibrox.