Last Sunday’s defeat at Pittodrie taught us absolutely nothing new, in the same way that a Rangers win wouldn’t have changed all that much either.

Every game at the moment confirms facts we already know, therefore deep analysis isn’t really required.

As Michael Beale has said repeatedly, big games are won or lost in both boxes and Sunday was no different. We didn’t take any of our chances and then conceded twice just after the break. Despite the positives away from home as of late, this was a movie everyone’s seen before.

Rangers require fresh quality that will address those issues and only the transfer window can provide reform.

In spite of all that, despite the doom and gloom of this season and immense pressure for a result at Hampden, there’s also reason for some optimism.

Looking back at the Aberdeen defeat, we should’ve been home and dry by half-time. Rangers dominated before the break and controlled exchanges. Although Malik Tillman didn’t apparently have a good game overall, he still created four very good opportunities for his teammates.

It’s fair to suggest that one of the chances Fashion Sakala, Alfredo Morelos, Nico Raskin and Borna Barisic had should’ve ended up in the back of the net.

And that’s why there is cause for optimism. We’re creating chances and the midfield is starting to function. Pessimism is completely understandable given Old Firm results in the last year but even the most recent meeting with Celtic, a 3-2 defeat at Parkhead, was a harsh scoreline on the basis of play.

Three previous meetings with Celtic have ended 2-2, 2-1 and 3-2. We’ve created chances in each tie and, especially in the league meetings, can feel hard done by to only have secured one point. Aside from that first half at Hampden, we haven’t been outplayed.

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Make no mistake, this Rangers team is miles away from where we all want it. And yet despite that, these meetings have been decided by the finest or margins. Rangers are due a bit of luck in one of these encounters and I’ll tell you what, we’re also due big performances from a few.

That’s what is giving me a degree of confidence going into Sunday.

Of course, for Rangers to have any chance they’ll have to defend a whole lot better than what's been offered up in recent weeks. Connor Goldson returning is absolutely key. We also must take our chances when they arise. Players need to change the narrative by stepping up and providing big performances.

Make no mistake, Rangers will get chances at the national stadium but unlike recent meetings, they have to be ruthless.

Call it romanticism, call it nostalgia, call it plain old nonsense, but I believe this squad owe us one final hoorah before a summer revolution arrives. To bow out without any silverware is unthinkable and unacceptable.

I also believe they can do it, even in spite of recent results.

Celtic are ruthless but we can hurt them. Todd Cantwell was criticised for saying we cost ourselves at Parkhead but that take was absolutely correct. We know they are a good side, the table doesn’t lie, but all our games have been close encounters.

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There is a niggling feeling of optimism that we have been getting closer every time, naturally suppressed by the negative emotions an Old Firm defeat will always provoke.

Keep the door shut at one end while pushing it open at the other and Rangers have every single opportunity come Sunday, a last dance that this squad deserves for the adventures it has taken us on.

It’s a must-win on many levels, for Beale and his squad who will look to bow out on something of a high. Most importantly, it’s a must-win for the support who require a shot of optimism for the summer ahead. After this season, it’s the least we all deserve.

Rangers can come out on top this Sunday. Change is coming this summer but it’s time this squad signed off in some style.