he played in 21 championship matches, helping rangers clinch the second-tier title, and was an unused substitute as they beat peterhead 4–0 to win the 2015–16 scottish challenge cup. a week later, rangers played old firm rivals celtic in the scottish cup semifinal. zelalem converted a penalty in the shootout to help his club progress to the final, and started in that match, which rangers lost 3–2 to hibernian.