Sport Nation 2Despite a challenging start to the season, former Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes remains optimistic about his old club’s chances of overtaking Celtic and winning the Scottish Premiership title. Mendes, who played for Rangers between 2008 and 2010, believes the current team can draw inspiration from his own experience of overcoming a similar deficit to secure the title in the 2008-09 season.
Early Struggles and Optimism for Recovery
Rangers, now managed by Philippe Clement, find themselves five points behind Celtic after a rocky start to the campaign. The team dropped points against Hearts on the opening day and suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park. Despite these setbacks, Mendes is confident that the current squad has the potential to turn things around.
Reflecting on his own time at the club, Mendes recalled how Rangers were seven points behind Celtic at the turn of the year during the 2008-09 season. However, they staged a remarkable comeback and clinched the title on the final day, ending a four-year wait for the championship. Mendes believes that the key to success lies in belief and trust in the team’s abilities and the manager’s strategies.
“I’m 100% sure Rangers will win the league,” Mendes said in a recent interview. “They just need to believe. Believe in the team, believe in the player next to them, believe in the manager and the things that you do well. I think that’s the most important thing in such a tough competition.”
Lessons from the Past
Mendes, who also had stints in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, emphasized the importance of self-confidence during challenging times. He pointed out that during his playing days, Rangers were in a similar position, trailing behind their fierce rivals. However, through hard work and determination, they managed to bridge the gap and eventually emerged as champions.
“The main thing then was for the players to believe in themselves, the manager, and the process,” Mendes added. He hopes that the current squad can channel the same mindset to close the gap and mount a serious title challenge in the coming months.
Upcoming Masters Tournament
In addition to his optimism about Rangers’ title hopes, Mendes will also be lacing up his boots once again for the Scottish Masters 2024 tournament in Aberdeen on November 14. The event will see football legends from Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, and Dundee United compete in a friendly but fiercely contested tournament.
One of the highlights of the event will be the reunion of Mendes with his former Old Firm rival, Scott Brown, who is set to represent Celtic in the tournament. Brown, the former Celtic captain, was one of Mendes’ toughest opponents during his playing career, and the Portuguese midfielder is looking forward to facing him again in a different setting.
“During your career, you have players that you played against, and for sure Scott was one of the toughest I faced,” Mendes said. “Because of the way he played, the stamina, and the passion he showed on the pitch.”
Mendes noted that while the Masters tournament is a more relaxed environment, the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic remains intense, even in a legends’ competition. “Rangers vs. Celtic will always be Rangers vs. Celtic, so that’s something you can’t change,” he added.
The Special Nature of the Old Firm Derby
The Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic is widely regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, and Mendes has fond memories of the intense battles he experienced during his time at Ibrox. “The Old Firm is always a special game,” he said. “During the Old Firm, all the things you trained during the week, like the tactics, go out the window, and it’s just passion on the pitch.”
Mendes praised Brown for his contributions to Celtic during their many clashes, acknowledging that he was one of the best Scottish midfielders of all time. “For sure, at the time Scott was the Celtic midfield, and one of the best Scottish midfielders of all time, I think,” he added.
Transfer Recommendations for Rangers
Now working as a football agent, Mendes has kept a close eye on the current Rangers squad and the Scottish Premiership in general. He believes the club should look towards the Portuguese league for potential signings to strengthen their squad. In particular, Mendes recommended several players from his hometown club, Vitória de Guimarães, and recent European opponents, Braga.
“For Rangers, in Vitória de Guimarães, there are fantastic players like João Mendes and Tomás Händel,” Mendes suggested. “In Braga also, they have the Horta brothers, Andre and Ricardo, who are good players. Bruma is a good winger, and Roger, another young winger who I think is only 18 years old.”
These players, according to Mendes, could bring added quality to the Rangers squad and help them challenge Celtic for domestic honors. With the January transfer window approaching, Rangers may look to bolster their options as they aim to reduce the gap at the top of the table.
Belief in Clement’s Leadership
Mendes is also supportive of Philippe Clement’s leadership at Rangers, emphasizing that the team’s faith in their manager will be crucial to their success. Clement, who took over the managerial reins at Ibrox, has the task of not only closing the points gap but also instilling a winning mentality in the squad.
Mendes believes that if the players fully commit to Clement’s vision and tactics, they can overcome their early-season struggles and go on to win the league. “They just need to believe in the manager and the thing that they do well,” he reiterated. “I think that’s the most important thing in such a tough competition.”
Conclusion
Despite their early-season challenges, Rangers still have ample time to turn their fortunes around in the Scottish Premiership. With experienced voices like Pedro Mendes offering their support and belief in the squad’s potential, the Light Blues have every reason to be optimistic about the remainder of the season. The key to success lies in self-belief, unity, and trust in the manager’s process, much like during Mendes’ title-winning campaign in 2008-09.
As the Scottish Masters 2024 tournament approaches, fans will not only get to see some of their favorite legends in action but also be reminded of the fierce rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, a rivalry that continues to define Scottish football. With new transfer targets on the horizon and Clement’s leadership, Rangers will be looking to reclaim the title and restore their dominance in Scottish football.
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