ALMOST three months have passed since the Scottish Premier League clubs elected not to allow the Rangers newco to begin life in the top flight.
For many associated with the Ibrox club, it remains a source of discontent.
Just how strong that resentment is will become clearer tomorrow evening when Motherwell become the first Clydesdale Bank Premier League team to face Ally McCoist's side since that day in early July when Rangers' hopes of an immediate return to the top division were dashed.
A lot has happened but the feeling – among many Rangers supporters and perhaps some inside Ibrox – has lingered that the other clubs took too much satisfaction in ensuring the newco would need to start life in the lower reaches of the game. The first chance to "show them all" that they have survived the ordeal and remain unbowed was always going to be seized upon with relish and so an otherwise fairly run-of-the-mill Scottish Communities League Cup tie is now being viewed by some as an opportunity for belated revenge.
Rangers' priority for the season is to get out of the Irn-Bru Third Division at the first opportunity but a chance to take an SPL scalp in the cup competitions makes for an intriguing diversion. This is shaping up to be a match loaded with significance.
"That definitely adds an edge to the occasion," said Dean Shiels, the Rangers forward. "We want to be back in the SPL as soon as possible and to do that we need to win games. Now we've got Motherwell and it's a chance for us to show we've got a lot of SPL-calibre players in our team and we can match them. I think the fans would take extra satisfaction from us beating an SPL team given everything that has happened. They want to see us win every game but a lot went on in the summer. We want to win for ourselves but moreso for the fans and the club itself."
It ought to be a curious occasion. Motherwell have traditionally travelled to Ibrox as underdogs – they have not won on that ground since 1997 – but approach this tie as leaders of the SPL and in good form.
Rangers, in turn, have struggled in their maiden campaign in the lower leagues and last week were despatched from the Ramsdens Cup by Queen of the South. The strength of squads and relative league positions would suggest Motherwell should be favourites to progress, something Shiels would not disagree with.
"It's hard to say who will be underdogs for this one. It's hard to judge at the moment as we're a new team and trying to gel and come together. They're an established side that's been together for a long time. So maybe they're the favourites looking at it that way.
"It will be strange Motherwell coming to Ibrox as favourites to win. They've got good players throughout their squad and certain individuals who can change games. Michael Higdon's had a great start to the season and scored numerous goals. So we'll need to keep on top of that. But we don't want to take too much focus away from what we can do. We've got belief in ourselves and believe we can win the game. We're not scared of Motherwell although we respect them and know it will be tough."
It is a competition that elicits fond reminiscences from Shiels and the Northern Irishman has not ruled out the prospect of retaining the trophy as a Rangers player.
"It's been great for me and I've got some special memories from it. Winning (last year) with Kilmarnock was a fantastic day for me and one that we all enjoyed. It's a competition that we now want to win here at Rangers, although we can't look past Wednesday night for now. Hopefully if we can win that tie then you never know where it can take us."
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