Rangers defender John Souttar hopes a positive result against Nice can be the catalyst for a successful season.
Rangers have seven points from their first four Europa League games and face Nice in France tonight knowing victory would put them on the cusp of reaching at least the play-off stage.
Souttar feels such a result could benefit the season as a whole, with Rangers 11 points behind Celtic and eight below Aberdeen in the Premiership.
“I think when everyone saw the group come out, they knew it was a tough group for us and we’ve got some big results at home and away and on Thursday night it would be brilliant to get the three points,” he said.
“It would be a big thing for the team. It creates belief when you get big results and brings everyone together so it’s something we’re all aiming for.
“We’ve had some really good performances in Europe against some top teams, we’ve come away from home and won one and drawn one, which is a difficult thing to do.
“As a group, we’ve got a gameplan and we’re here to win. It’s another great opportunity for us.
“I don’t think it’s anything to do with style. We’ve performed better in Europe more consistently than in the league. That’s obviously something we’re trying to correct in the league.”
Souttar has been a virtual ever-present at the heart of the Rangers defence this season and one of few to emerge with credit from a difficult campaign so far, having found it difficult to secure a starting place previously.
“I think it’s just hard work,” he said, when asked what were the keys to the turnaround.
“My first season I had a lot of problems, but the last two seasons I’ve felt really good and this season I feel I’m in a really good spot physically, playing every three days.
“That’s a credit to the club and everything that goes on behind the scenes because I feel comfortable playing every game.
“That’s a good feeling as a player and you feel you can do that because when you’re at a big club, if you want to play centre-back, you have to be consistent so it was important for me at this stage in my career to get to that level and thankfully this season I have.”
