Former Rangers frontman Michael Mols believes it is vital for Scottish football that the Ibrox side return to the Premiership soon - because the top flight is boring without them.
The Light Blues will meet their Old Firm rivals Celtic in Sunday's QTS Scottish League Cup semi-finals at Hampden.
But it is three years since they last met on league duty after Gers' liquidation nightmare forced them to start again in the Third Division.
There is no guarantee they will return next year as they trail Scottish Championship leaders Hearts by 13 points - meaning they may have to tackle a potentially tricky route back through the play-offs.
But Dutchman Mols believes that without the regular duels between the two Glasgow giants, the Scottish game will continue to suffer.
The former Holland international - who twice won the League Cup at Ibrox - said: "When Rangers went into administration and then liquidation, I thought it was terrible. Not only for Rangers but also for Scottish football.
"The game here needs Celtic and Rangers in one league. The league is not interesting any more.
"It is harder to attract players to Scotland now because one of the biggest reasons to sign for Celtic or Rangers is the chance to play in an Old Firm derby."
The Rangers board were forced to accept a £10million loan from Mike Ashley on Tuesday as their money problems persist.
The Newcastle United chief has now grabbed hold of the club's income streams after seizing control of 75 per cent of its retail business but Dave King and the Three Bears - Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor - are preparing to fight back at a looming shareholder meeting.
But Mols, who spent six years at Ibrox after signing in 1999, cannot believe the mess the club now find themselves in, just 16 years on from the days under Dick Advocaat's charge when Gers had ambitions of conquering Europe.
"It's a difficult situation," he said. "When I played here we were playing in the Champions League. Then they had to start all over again.
"They are getting to where they need to be but I don't really know what is happening behind the scenes.
"There are still money problems and the club is struggling.
"That is the hardest thing and it will frustrate the supporters. No-one knows what is happening or where the money is going."
Sunday's clash with Ronny Deila's Hoops is the first since former Gers owner Craig Whyte's short tenure ended so disastrously.
The Parkhead outfit are the clear favourites but Mols insists Rangers are not the no-hopers the bookies are claiming.
He said: "Can Rangers win? Why not? It's football and also an Old Firm game. Anything can happen and no-one can predict it.
"There are always surprises in football. We saw with Man City, with Chelsea in the FA Cup last weekend. No-one thought that could happen.
"As long as they can walk off the park with pride that is the most important thing. This game is about pride and about winning. That is the only thing that matters.
"It doesn't matter if you are the favourite or not. I never went into a game thinking we had no chance.
"The experience each side has can make the difference and give an advantage.
"Rangers have a lot of guys who know what it is like to play in an Old Firm like Lee McCulloch and Kenny Miller - it is a different game from any other.
"They will know what is at stake. Some of them are Scottish and know it is very important for the supporters."
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