The 7 Rangers games in 21 days as season-defining run set to push Philippe Clement's squad to its limit

Philippe Clement and his players face a hectic schedule up until the November international break

Yes, it is only October. But when you break down Rangers' upcoming run of games you can see just how vital it could prove to their overall campaign.

It's already been a hectic season for Philippe Clement both on and off the park. A busy summer window, a temporary move away from Ibrox and a Champions League elimination have made it tough for the Belgian boss - who is also trailing in the race for the Premiership crown by five points. But Rangers are still fighting for four trophies this season with Europa League football on the agenda as well as the usual three domestic competitions - Scottish Premiership, Premier Sports Cup and the yet to get up and running Scottish Cup.

Clement and his troops are currently between the training ground and on international duty - but when things get back up and running it could be season defining for the campaign. Before domestic football goes back into cold storage in November, Clement will know he is already approaching a make or break point.

Why you ask? Well to put it simply, they face a run of seven games in three weeks. They are already playing catch up to Aberdeen and Celtic - both boasting seven wins from seven outings - in the league with the top two going head to head in the next game. That will present a chance to claw the gap back on the top two with Rangers returning from the break with a tricky Sunday lunchtime clash next weekend at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock.

Just four days later focus turns to Europa League duty with Steaua Bucharest making the trip to Ibrox. Clement and Co got off to a flying start on matchday one with three points on the road at Malmo. However, Lyon hit them for four in Govan last time out meaning they have three points from two matches. This is the first of TWO Euro outings in the stretch with Olympiacos in Greece to come early November. When you consider games with the likes of Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham, Nice and Manchester United are still to come, the importance of points, particularly at home, will be crucial with the knockout rounds in mind.

Following the Steaua clash it is back to back league outings against St Mirren at Ibrox before what could be a huge showdown with Aberdeen and Jimmy Thelin at Pittodrie. It's then a return to Hampden after this, but in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, as the holders take on Motherwell hoping for a return to Mount Florida in December.

As mentioned previously it is off to Greece for following the national stadium battle. A red-hot atmosphere will be awaiting James Tavernier and his teammates when they visit the Karaiskakis Stadium.

Finally the final fixture of the busy schedule sees Hearts make the trip to Ibrox. The duo drew at Tynecastle on the opening game of the season and it remains one of just two points the Jambos - currently bottom at this stage - have picked up this season.

In total it means Rangers will play seven games across a 21 day period in three different competitions between October 20 and November 10. It is a mammoth run and one that could have a real saying on how successful the season could be for the Ibrox side.

Rangers' next seven fixtures in full

Kilmarnock vs Rangers - Sunday October 20 (Premiership)

Rangers vs Steaua Bucharest - Thursday October 24 (Europa League)

Rangers vs St Mirren - Sunday October 27 (Premiership)

Aberdeen vs Rangers - Wednesday October 30 (Premiership)

Motherwell vs Rangers - Sunday November 3 (Premier Sports Cup semi-final - Hampden)

Olympiacos vs Rangers - Thursday November 7 (Europa League)

Rangers vs Hearts - Sunday November 10 (Premiership)

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.