Philippe Clement must prove he is more than just a Rangers long ball merchant or face serious questions - Keith Jackson

They'll be feeling pretty bruised and beaten up. And probably a bit sorry for themselves.

They may even believe they can make up for losing the league title by beating Celtic to the Scottish Cup at Hampden in less than a fortnight’s time without realising the dangerous levels of their own delusion. Who knows? Some of them may even be clinging to the misplaced belief that Brendan Rodgers and his players might collapse in spectacular fashion by failing to take a single point from their final two top flight fixtures against Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

But even if they are content to keep kidding themselves on, the truth of the matter is that they are fooling no-one. This Rangers side has become so consistently untrustworthy over the years that it would probably still lose out on goal difference even if Celtic did fail to find the net in either of their remaining matches. Which, of course, they will not. Chances are Philippe Clement will have to settle for another second prize at the national stadium on May 25, when Rangers bring the curtain down on a failed campaign with one final Old Firm showdown. But the outcome of that final is really neither here nor there where the big picture is concerned.

On the contrary, even if they do salvage a second trophy at Hampden, they’ll still head into the summer as the close-but-no-cigar brigade of the Scottish game. Perennial nearly men but almost always not quite near enough. And seldom has this lack of character and conviction appeared so glaringly obvious as it did on Saturday when they obediently capitulated at the home of a rival who more than has their measure.

When they were presented with one last redemption shot, they had neither the wherewithal nor the courage required to reach