DEREK McInnes believes Rangers must harness the backing of the Ibrox crowd as they prepare for Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
The sides will meet for the first time this season in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with a place at Hampden at stake.
With a fourth victory in a row last night, McInnes says focus has now turned to making sure his players are physically, tactically, and mentally ready for the occasion this weekend.
Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, he said: “There's work to do in terms of the preparation, trying to get the players ready physically but having those conversations with them to get them right tactically and mentally for the game.
“You can impart some knowledge of what to expect, but ultimately the players have got to live it and feel it themselves.
“What it presents is a tough cup tie, but we have got it at Ibrox. We are 90 minutes away from Hampden; we are three games away from lifting silverware, and you have got to beat the good teams to win a trophy ordinarily.
“We have got to make it tough for Celtic as well, and I think they'll expect a tough match, and that is what we intend to give them. It has got all the makings of a brilliant cup tie. We have just got to bring a performance now that gives us the chance to win it and hopefully progress through the tournament.”
McInnes wants his team to feed off the energy of the home support while recognising there will be challenging periods throughout the match.
He continued: “We have got to bring the crowd with us. You are not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We will have spells, and they will have spells; that is just the way it is.
“We’ve got our part to play in that, and I feel if we can capitalise on good play and good opportunities, if we can get ourselves in front and give the crowd something to get behind, then the strength of our club can be shown.
The Gers boss called for his players to show personality, belief and discipline, stressing the need to find the right balance.
He added: “Personality and confidence are important. Whenever I have managed teams that have faced Celtic and won, I have always felt it was key that you went onto the pitch in a certain manner, behaved in a certain manner and carried yourself properly.
Discipline is important; we have to be competitive and aggressive, and show our intent but play within the laws and make sure we don't get caught up in the fixture, but it is easier said than done.
“Normally in this fixture, when you think you have got time to play, you normally don't. You have got to move the ball quickly and be ready for Celtic's press. There are a lot of duels to be won, a lot of individual battles to be won, but a bit of fire and ice at the right times can help matters.”
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