Jean-Claude Darcheville hopes Rangers' lack of European action will help them overhaul Celtic.
Rangers striker keen to put pressure on Celtic
Jean-Claude Darcheville hopes Rangers' lack of European action will help them overhaul Celtic in the SPL title race.
The Ibrox outfit suffered league misery last season as they lost out to their Glasgow rivals on the final day after an arduous campaign which saw them chasing silverware on four fronts.
But after their shock exit from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Walter Smith's men only have domestic matters to focus on.
Celtic still have an outside chance of progressing to the last 16 of the tournament, while a place in the Uefa Cup remains another possibility for Gordon Strachan's side as they prepare to tackle AaB Aalborg on Tuesday night.
And striker Darcheville believes the added workload of European football could count against the SPL champions and current leaders.
Chance
He said: "They have a four-point lead just now but the difference this season is that we only play one game each week, unlike last season when everyone knows that we lost the championship because we played every three days.
"Now we don't have anything like that fixture load and it gives us a much better chance of winning the title.
"Celtic on the other hand are still in Europe and the Champions League and they will have the same problem we had. The fact they will be playing every three days will be good for us."
Darcheville has been linked with a return to France in the January transfer window but insists he is keen to add to his collection of silverware before departing Ibrox.
He added: "When I do eventually leave I hope it's going to be after winning some more medals.
"Last season we won two trophies - the League Cup and the Scottish Cup - and reached the Uefa Cup final. And, of course, we also lost the championship on the last day.
"But this season the team is improved with the new signings and we have a much better chance of winning the title."
