Rothwell accepts Scottish giants Rangers already facing key week of season

AFP | London

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Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell believes his side are already facing a week that could define their season even at this early stage of the season.

The Glasgow giants are off to their worst start in the Scottish top flight since 1989 after a third consecutive 1-1 draw at St. Mirren on Sunday.

Manager Russell Martin, who was only appointed in June, has won just three of his opening nine games in all competitions, the worst record of any permanent appointment in the club’s history.

They now face the task of trying to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday.

And they could fall nine points behind Scottish champions and arch-rivals Celtic with defeat in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

“Wednesday night is a massive game for us,” said Rothwell.

“If we can go there and turn that tie around, then it’ll obviously give us massive confidence going into the weekend game.”

The 30-year-old, a pre-season signing from English Premier League side Bournemouth, added: “And then we play that game and who knows where it can take us, if we manage to pick up three points.