It is in the cup competitions that Rangers can measure how far they are progressing.
Ally McCoist's side have a 100% record in their 10 SPFL League 1 games so far, but only contests with opponents from further up the divisions will fully test the capabilities of the side. Having knocked Airdrieonians out of the William Hill Scottish Cup third round at Ibrox on Friday night, with a performance that was more dogged than inspired, Rangers could yet be paired with a top-flight side.
Sir Alex Ferguson will help to conduct the draw for the fourth round in Aberdeen tomorrow. It would be intriguing for Rangers to be drawn against an SPFL Premiership side, not least because most of the squad have experience at that level. The likes of Cammy Bell, Nicky Law, Ian Black, David Templeton and Jon Daly were top-flight performers before agreeing to the task of trying to restore Rangers to that station.
Daly, who scored twice against Airdrie, was part of the Dundee United side that knocked Rangers out of last season's Scottish Cup. McCoist's team defeated Motherwell in the League Cup, only to then lose to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the competition, but the squad has greater depth now, while the starting XI is also more accomplished.
"There are a lot of good sides and strong squads in the Premiership," said Daly. "It's difficult to see where you are until you come up against one. We're a confident bunch and on our day we feel we can match most sides especially at Ibrox, which is a fantastic pitch and if we get a home draw then hopefully we can beat whoever comes along.
"Last year, due to circumstances, [Rangers] couldn't get as many players in as they wanted but this year the manager has a stronger squad. So there are plenty of players for each position.
"With all the circumstances around [last season's cup tie at Tannadice], like the [Rangers fans'] boycott, it felt like quite a strange game. Every time I played Rangers at Tannadice when I was with United, it was like a home game for them with the amount of fans they brought through. That worked against them. Everything surrounding the game was very strange."
Daly won the Scottish Cup with United and McCoist has spoken about renewing the winning habit in his squad. The expectations among fans is that the team will challenge for every trophy. For Daly, the prospect of renewing acquaintances with his old club is also appealing.
"I still look out for the results," he said. "I was disappointed for them last week when they went out to Inverness in the League Cup because I would have liked them to do well in that competition. I had six great years and it's a fantastic club. If we were drawn back there we would take it as it comes. They have a lot of fantastic young players coming through so it would be a tough game if we were drawn to play them there."
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