Kris Boyd says second place and Champions League shot is vital to Rangers

Kris Boyd has told embattled Rangers they must bounce back from their title frustration in order to salvage their season by finishing second and earning a crack at the Champions League.

Gers were just one point off the top at the split but back-to-back defeats against Motherwell and Hearts have left them seven adrift of the Jambos and all but out of the running.

Danny Rohl’s side still have a chance, however, of overhauling second-placed Celtic, who are four points above them ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

Former striker Boyd believes Gers’ failure to last the pace in the title race highlights an ongoing “mentality problem” in the Ibrox dressing room and feels securing a place in the second qualifying round of the Champions League at the expense of their city rivals would enhance their chances of solving some of their issues.

“I think there’ll be more questions asked if Rangers don’t get that second place,” Boyd told Sky Sports. “When you look at FFP (Financial Fair Play) and Rangers were on the threshold of that last season, you’re then trying to rebuild another team.

“There’s already players announced that they’re going to be leaving. They’ve spent a lot of money already but to allow Rangers to spend the money they’ll need to spend to get back up there challenging next year, you’re going to need every advantage you can get, and that will be that Champions League qualifier.

“So Rangers need to approach Celtic Park on Sunday as a game they must win. It’s bad enough finishing second up here, but to finish third would be a huge, huge blow for Rangers. They need to find a way to finish second and see what happens from there.

“With Champions League qualifiers, it’s not a given that you’re going to get there (into the main phase), but even if you get those couple of games, it can generate £5million, but also the two games could take it up to about £10m that Rangers could get in in revenue over the summer. It could be huge going forward.”

Rangers have won on their last two visits to Celtic Park and another victory on Sunday would damage the Hoops’ hopes of overhauling Hearts in the title race, something many supporters would view as some form of consolation.

“Rangers’ fans have been through enough,” said Boyd. “So to go to Celtic Park and watch Celtic fans celebrate, it’s not happened in recent times, when you look at Rangers’ results at Celtic Park, it’s been OK. I think Rangers will go there and look to win the game.

“You can look at it and say you can put a dent in Celtic winning the title, but for Rangers, they have to get that Champions League spot.”