FIVE weeks ago, Charlie Adam feared his season was over – now he is hoping to play a part in what could be one of the most dramatic run-ins in Rangers' history.
Six matches between now and May 24 will determine whether the Ibrox club can succeed in their quest to claim four trophies, vital matches Adam thought he would be watching from the sidelines.
The midfielder was all but ruled out of Walter Smith's
plans after sustaining a knee injury that was expected to keep him out of action until the summer.
But an appearance for the final 15 minutes of last night's SPL win over Motherwell has given Adam renewed hope of participating in the climax to what the club hopes will be a historic campaign.
And, with the league title, Scottish Cup and UEFA Cup still up for grabs, he is determined to make a contribution.
"I've got to keep showing in training what I've done in the past few weeks and show that I'm back to hopefully get involved," he said.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for me to come on and I was very happy I managed to get that.
"When the injury happened there was a bit of worry that I could be out for the season but the physios have really helped me and I've worked hard myself.
"Five weeks is a long time to be out and I've missed some fantastic matches but there are still fantastic matches to come between now and the end of the season."
The 1-0 win over Motherwell, courtesy of a Barry Ferguson strike, keeps the title race in Rangers' hands, allowing them to close the gap on Celtic to four points with two games in hand.
Manager Smith admitted afterwards he expects to see nerves from his players with so much at stake now.
"They are good nerves," insisted Adam. "We have a fantastic opportunity and we are in a fantastic position.
"We have already won a cup and there are still three trophies to be won. We know it's going to be tough but we have had tough encounters throughout the season and we've come through the other side.
"We've got a fantastic team spirit in the dressing-room. It's important that we're all together and we are.
"We will fight and scrap for each other and we have shown that again. We are looking forward to the end of the season.
"We just want to dominate and win games. We have six games to go and we will look to win every game.
"We are looking forward to the challenge."
Motherwell have lost to both halves of the Old Firm in the space of five days but can secure third place in the SPL, and a UEFA Cup spot for next season, if results go in their favour this weekend.
Speaking of last night's clash, Well defender Mark Reynolds admitted: "It was a huge occasion. They are looking to win the league and we are looking for a spot in Europe.
"It's probably the biggest game I've played in my career. You could tell the fans were right up for it and it was a great game to play in."
Celtic and Rangers both claimed their winning goals against Motherwell from set-pieces, and the centre-half added: "It's very frustrating.
"We're doing a lot in training, we're practising, and we're doing well in training. It just seems in matches that the other team finds the spare man.
"We've put in a lot of effort and played some good football and to come away with no points is disappointing.
"But I think, if we play the same kind of football against Aberdeen on Saturday, the points will come.
"It would be massive to get third place and European football."
The full article contains 645 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
