Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has insisted that he expects a different performance from his team on Sunday.
The Scottish Cup tie against St Johnstone at Ibrox comes just a few days after the sides met in Perth.
On that ocassion, there was a distinct end of season feel to the game, with a much changed Gers side not able to see out the win, albeit courtesy of a very dubious penalty awarded to the Saints.
However, the real event is approaching – both camps have admitted as much in the build up to the quarter final, which is been given more focus than the league meeting during the week.
When asked at today’s press conference if he felt a different approach and an increase in intensity would be apparent, Gerrard stated:
“It’s difficult to predict how the game is going to pan out but I’m hoping to see more intensity and more quality from our point of view.”
“I think it goes without saying the team will look different (from Wednesday’s game), our game plan will look different and it’s a fresh game, but a game we are very much looking forward to.”
Having already won the BetFred Cup this season, St Johnstone are clearly a team on the rise, under Callum Davidson.
Again on Wednesday, they showed their strengths and were fully committed as expected.
“St Johnstone are a good team. They will be organised, well drilled and they are having a fantastic season themselves, so it is all to play for at the weekend,” the Rangers boss added.
Priority
“I said a few weeks ago that once the league was wrapped up our priority becomes the Scottish Cup.”
“You obviously have to see all the league games out and we want to try and remain unbeaten, so we picked a team to try and win on Wednesday.”
“We obviously never saw the closing moments out in the right way and we were punished.”
“It was a fair result but we are glad that is out the way and we’ve come through with no injuries or any scares.”
“We are in a good place now going into the weekend and I want the performance to look very much different.”