Skip to content

Andy Goram warns second-place finish does not guarantee top-flight football for Rangers

Image: Andy Goram: Promotion this season by no means guaranteed for Rangers

Andy Goram believes Rangers will struggle to get out of the Championship this season, even if they finish second to runaway leaders Hearts.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram thinks that the Rangers EGM is going to be massive as it could dictate the future of the club.

Hearts have 22 points in hand over the third-placed Glasgow side with Edinburgh neighbours Hibernian also above their Ibrox rivals in the table.

Rangers have three games in hand over both sides and while a runners-up spot looks a distinct possibility, results against the capital duo this season gives Goram no confidence for the end-of-season play-offs.

It will be difficult as Hibs have won every game against us, the team that comes down from the Premiership is going to be difficult to beat, so it is not going to be the cake walk everyone thought it would be.
Andy Goram

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper said: "Nothing is straightforward at Ibrox at the moment and you have to look at Queen of the South who are also right behind us in the table.

"Falkirk are also coming with a run so Rangers need to be on their mettle to get the second place. Hibs have had a great season and the problem is we have not beaten Hibs and Hearts in the five games we have played them.

"They have won every game, so second place is vital to give us that lift and have a chance of getting promoted.

"But saying that, it will be difficult as, as well as Hibs having won every game against us, the team that comes down from the Premiership is going to be difficult to beat, so it is not going to be the cake walk everyone thought it would be."

"But we have decent players, and the second highest paid squad in the country, so there is no reason why we shouldn't be confident."

'Progress'

Asked for his views on the Cricket World Cup, Goram, who represented Scotland four times at the sport, believes they must follow the example of Ireland if they are to have any influence on the world stage.

Scotland lost by 119 runs to England in their World Cup tie earlier on Monday and 50-year-old Goram insists conditions north of the border make it impossible for the game to be taken seriously there.

"I didn't see the game last night but to be fair it's difficult playing against England," he said. "I would compare us more to Ireland when I was playing for Scotland.

"Then we were a very similar level but Ireland's progress has been phenomenal and they're a fantastic side now. But our progress has been slower and we need to learn how to win games - which is what Ireland have done.

Cricket World Cup 2015

"I spoke to our coach Paul Collingwood last year and he is very impressed with them and when something like that comes from Paul Collingwood then you accept that.

"Our progress hasn't been quick enough really but you have to look at the weather in Scotland. It means you don't play too many games although Ireland have the same weather and they have progressed so it's frustrating. 

"The other problem in Scotland is half the population don't understand the game and when you don't understand something you don't like it so we need to start getting the kids involved and bringing them through the levels."

Around Sky