I can already hear Celtic fans saying I’ve lost the plot but I’m telling you Rangers are back – Barry Ferguson

Hand on heart, I must admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Just a couple of weeks ago, if you want to know the honest truth, I was even dreading the thought of the short bus trip from Ibrox to Hampden. Rangers were going to be on a hiding to nothing in the Premier Sports Cup Final and it was just a matter of gritting your teeth and getting through it.

So it comes as a very pleasant surprise to confess that my mindset has changed completely now that the latest Old Firm scrap is just about upon us. Now, before we go any further, I can hear the Celtic fans sighing already. ‘Oh aye, here we go, Barry’s lost the plot again’.

But it’s not like that. I don’t believe for a single second that everything is rosy in the Rangers garden again. Far from it. There’s still a load of improving for them to do after what has been a thoroughly disappointing start to the season.

But at least now there’s serious reason to believe they can make themselves competitive in a cup final which most Rangers fans had already written off just a few games ago. And, yes, the nature of Thursday night’s performance against Tottenham has made absolutely sure of it.

I say that for a couple of reasons. First, I was at Ibrox for the Europa League Battle of Britain tie and I could feel the difference in the mood around the old place. For the first time this season, the fans are starting to believe in their team again. There’s a sense of positivity and a new energy in the stands. As I’ve written in this column before, Rangers are at their strongest when there is that connection with the supporters. For the first time in a long time, it’s coming back.

But, more importantly, I get the feeling that the players are starting to believe in themselves again and their