It's the weekend that Rangers FC fans have been waiting for.Supporters in Scotland have have waited two-and-a-half months for the Scottish Premiership to resume following the cancellation of last season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The season ended with Celtic crowned as league champions - an accolade which saw them move to within one title of a historic achievement.The Bhoys are hoping that success in the league this term will make it 10 titles in a row - a notable landmark in an era of true domination.As far as Rangers are concerned, they'll be doing everything that they can to stop them.Steven Gerrard's side provided strong competition for Celtic last term but fell away in the closing stages of the campaign, leading Neil Lennon's side to hold a 13-point lead when the season was halted.This time around, the Gers will have much higher hopes.To stop their rivals from making it 10-in-a-row would be particularly sweet for Rangers, and that's why this season's title race is being tipped as the closest in many years.
If Gerrard's side are to mount a genuine title challenge they'll need to be on their game from the first minute of the first weekend.After a makeshift pre-season, Rangers will raise the curtain on the Premiership season as they travel to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie.They certainly could have had easier tests to start the campaign, but this will certainly be handy in assessing their ability to grind out results.
Steven Gerrard has already confirmed that in-demand striker Alfredo Morelos will travel with the squad for the clash.The frontman is being heavily linked with a move to Lille, but that move is not expected to be done before the Premiership curtain-raiser.Morelos' involvement will be good news given the fact that Gerrard will be without two experienced players this weekend.They are Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, who miss out with a hamstring injury and an unspecified knock respectively.
GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...
The absence of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis is certainly a blow for Steven Gerrard.
To be without two players of such experience isn't ideal, however I'd expect Rangers FC to have enough to get a positive result against Aberdeen.
With Defoe missing out it only emphasises the need for Alfredo Morelos to be on his game.
Unsurprisingly, the striker will be the main talking point at Pittodrie with his future hanging in the balance.
Morelos is travelling with the squad, but in truth no one knows what his frame of mind will be as talk of a move continues to bubble away.
Should he be called upon to feature, Gerrard will be demanding that he gives his all in a fixture which may well prove to be his last for the Glasgow side.