For the Parkhead side, it is about getting it over and done with as quickly as possible against Lille in Glasgow with the team already knocked out and with more pressing domestic matters on the horizon. Steven Gerrard’s men are in Poland to face Lech Poznan, knowing if they match Benfica’s result they will qualify as group winners.
Elsewhere in Scottish football, there is an increasing desire to get fans back into grounds with Aberdeen chief Dave Cormack leading the charge as he calls for talks with the Scottish Government.
Scroll down and click through for all of Thursday’s Scottish football news.
5. Importance of Rangers topping EL group
If Rangers do top the group they will avoid some big names in the last-32, such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Ajax and Roma. All they have to do is match Benfica’s result to progress as group winners and earn a seed. (Scottish Sun) Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
6. Cormack in Scottish Government blast
Aberdeen chief Dave Cormack has called on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the country’s National Clinical Director to talk to him about getting fans back into stadiums. The Dons chairman wants 1,000 fans to return to Pittodrie but has been left “disappointed and bewildered” with a lack of response. (Daily Record) Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
7. Rangers Champions League blow
Rangers have been dealt a Champions League coefficient blow with Ukraine having two representatives in the last-32 of the Europa League. Scotland are currently in position to have one team qualify directly for the tournament but face stiff competition from Ukraine with Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk able to pick up coefficient points after new year compared to Scotland’s one in Rangers. (Daily Record) Photo: SNS Group Craig Williamson
8. Rangers urged to tie Tav down
Ex-Rangers ace Alan Hutton has urged his former club to get James Tavernier signed on a new contract, wary of possible interest in January from Premier League clubs. He said: “If a team did happen to come in for him in January and he’s just signed a new deal, the fee’s only going to go up the way. It actually protects Rangers as well.” (Football Insider) Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group