Kris Boyd is urging Rangers to put their title frustrations aside and focus on finishing second in the league in order to secure a Champions League qualifying place.
A runners-up finish in this season’s Scottish Premiership secures a place in the second qualifying round of the Uefa tournament and would give Rangers another crack at reaching Europe’s premier club competetion.
Before the split Danny Rohl’s side were just a point behind Hearts, but back-to-back defeats at home to Motherwell and away to the league leaders leave the Glasgow club seven points adrift with nine to play for.
While Rangers would need a lot to fall in their favour to have any hope of salvaging the title, they could catch Glasgow rivals Celtic in second place.
“I think there’ll be more questions asked if Rangers don’t get that second place,” Boyd told Sky Sports.
“When you look at FFP (Financial Fair Play) and Rangers were on the threshold of that last season, you’re then trying to rebuild another team.
“There’s already players announced that they’re going to be leaving. They’ve spent a lot of money already, but to allow Rangers to spend the money they’ll need to spend to get back up there challenging next year, you’re going to need every advantage you can get, and that will be that Champions League qualifier.
“So Rangers need to approach Celtic Park on Sunday as a game they must win. It’s bad enough finishing second up here, but to finish third would be a huge, huge blow for Rangers.”