Davie Weir has warned Steven Gerrard he will face a crisis if his Scottish Cup hopes end at Aberdeen on Sunday.
The Brighton scout spent 20 months alongside Mark Warburton at Ibrox before the controversial exit of the management team who had lifted the club into the top flight.
After losing out to Aberdeen in the semi-final of the Betfred Cup the pressure is on Gerrard to gain revenge at Pittodrie and keep alive his hopes of delivering a trophy in his first season in management.
Weir helped the club reach the 2016 Scottish Cup Final following a penalty shoot out win over Celtic but it could be argued that that result or losing the final to Hibs was the beginning of the end for Warburton.
“If Rangers win at Aberdeen, the picture is rosier, if they lose, it is a crisis and I’m sure Steven understands that,” the former Ibrox assistant told the Daily Record.
“It can be season-defining, if Rangers win this game and get a trophy in the cabinet it can help build momentum going forward.
“Ideally, winning leagues is what Rangers are all about and is where the focus lies but a cup can go a long way towards helping that.
“It is very black and white in terms of what is success and what is failure for Rangers and Celtic, that is the reality of life in Glasgow.”
As well as Gerrard the spotlight will firmly be on Alfredo Morelos on Sunday for the lunch time kick off.
The Colombian has been sent off three times against Aberdeen this season and missed the Betfred Cup semi-final due to suspension.
Three different referees have sent Morelos off with the match officials for the weekend being announced tomorrow.
