Rangers have discovered quite the appetite since Connor Goldson dropped that bombshell soundbite claim about the squad losing its hunger.
In little over a fortnight, the defending Premiership champions will compete on three fronts as their ambitions for the season go on the line.
Sunday’s Old Firm showdown at Ibrox is followed by the first of two Europa League last eight ties against Braga, with a trip to St Mirren rounding off the pre-split schedule.
Then it is another clash with Celtic in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden, scene of a timid effort losing to Hibernian in November and of Goldson’s scathing remarks.
Despite that controversy and allowing his contract to run down without any hint that an extended agreement might be close, Goldson has remained an automatic pick.
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The Englishman has been at the heart of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s defence with either Leon Balogun or Calvin Bassey next to him.
Filip Helander’s return from long-term injury now reunites last year’s title-winning partnership.
There have been hiccups in the defence of their league crown since the turn of the year. Yet the desire and focus of Goldson, soon to enjoy freedom of contract status, has not become the thorny issue it might have as Celtic assumed a three-point advantage.
Witness the defender’s efforts at Dens Park before international week, turning emergency striker and firing home four minutes from time to complete a comeback victory.
That game was watched closely by former Rangers and Dundee defender Zurab Khizanishvili who appreciates Goldson’s interest in a fresh challenge nine months shy of his 30th birthday.
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Yet the Georgian clings to hope that the lengthy contract impasse does not automatically lead to a departure.
“I’ve watched Connor Goldson a lot in the last two years, I follow Rangers all the time and I like him very much,” Khizanishvili said.
“He’s got a strong mentality, he’s a proper defender, just what I like to see at the club. He’s 29 now, though, which is an interesting age. He’s played in the Scottish league and Europa League.
“I understand if a player who’s proved himself as the No 1 defender for Rangers may be interested in finding out about a different league. I wish him good luck if that is the case, but I wish him to stay.”
Khizanishvili featured for Blackburn in the Premier League following a two-year Ibrox stay, where he played in the Champions League, Uefa Cup and helped the Helicopter Sunday title-winning squad of 2005.
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He also played for Newcastle and Reading in the Championship and admits no experience down south, however enjoyable, could compare to the thrill of Rangers.
Goldson has been linked with West Brom and Nottingham Forest, clubs presently peering at the Championship promotion play-offs from the outside.
With this season’s Scottish title almost certain to pave an automatic path to the Champions League, Khizanishvili hopes the former Brighton defender has second thoughts and resists the lure of a return to England.
“The Premier League would be a good step for him,” Khizanishvili said. “But he’s good for us. And I think Rangers are good for him. He’s in Glasgow, you are a God there if you win the league as he found out last season.
“There’s everything there to enjoy, European football. Look at the fantastic run the team is on now. For me, it must be a difficult decision to give up that feeling and that’s what you have to think about.”
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• Aaron Ramsey is in line to feature against Celtic on Sunday. The midfielder was not in the Wales squad for their friendly against Czech Republic on Tuesday, but manager Rob Page insisted: “There’s no injury.”
