The Gers keeper emphasised the importance of blocking out any external noise ahead of the anticipated match as they focus on delivering a positive performance in this opening away fixture.
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm match, he said: “I don’t read or listen to any of that on the outside, I concentrate with what’s happening in the building – we never see or look at ourselves as the underdog, we know what we’ve got to do and what our strengths are.
"We’re confident in that. We’re looking forward to the game and showing the best version of ourselves to get a positive result.
“We have our routines that we like to stick to for every fixture that keeps that focus, regardless of who we are facing.
"A game of this magnitude you will always have that thought process of concentration to go into, we try our best to give every single game the same concentration and respect – we will try our best to take tomorrow’s game in the same vein that we have every other this season.”
McLaughlin reflected on the recent defensive performances of Light Blue James Sands and emphasised the presence of Connor Goldson will help bring composure to the back four.
He continued: “I think that James has done very well in what he has been asked to do. I’m not sure how much he had played in that position before he came to Rangers, but he is a quality footballer and a physical player.
"He has those attributes to play at centre-half and he has done that well, you’re going to grow into it as you go.
“As a unit, we’re starting to gel in that sense, the more opportunities that we get to have, that’s hopefully only going to improve the group and the unit.
"I think he’s got the temperament as well, he’s another calm figure – his temperament going into a fixture like this, he’ll be more than capable.
“It’s great to have that in front of you [Connor Goldson], you want to have that continuity and that trust in the people around you.
"The more that you work with those players consistently it will only benefit the whole group, not just the back four but we have great leadership and experience all throughout the team.
“We have plenty of guys who are experienced and know what it takes to win this fixture, the rest of us will take a lot of confidence in that going into tomorrow.”
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