Regret will be in the air at Ibrox but Rangers and their supporters have good reason to console themselves

On the evening when their status as Scottish champions is expected to come to an end, Rangers have the welcome distraction of turning their attention towards their pursuit of a piece of silverware which could burnish their credentials like none before.

There will still be an element of regret and disappointment in the air at Ibrox when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad play their last home fixture of the season against Ross County.

Regardless of Rangers’ own result, the title race will be offically over if Celtic avoid defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice. The surrender of the six-point lead they held at the top of the Premiership table going into the winter break, turned on its head by their Old Firm rivals who hold the same advantage going into the final two rounds of fixtures, cannot be shrugged off lightly by van Bronckhorst and his players.

Yet they can still anticipate a rousing reception and send-off from their home support on Wednesday night as the fevered anticipation of the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville next week continues to intensify.

Van Bronckhorst’s team selection against Ross County – and for Saturday’s last league game against Hearts at Tynecastle – will be a reflection of his priorities as he prepares for a momentous climax to the campaign which sees that high profile assignment in Spain quickly followed by the Scottish Cup final showdown with Hearts at Hampden on May 21.

Just as he did for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Dundee United at Ibrox, which forced Celtic to wait just a little longer before they can formally reclaim the Premiership crown, van Bronckhorst is likely to rotate his squad as he tries to ensure all of his key players are in the best possible condition to face