PEDRO Caixinha has told Rangers that defeat is not an option when they face Motherwell in tomorrow’s Betfred Cup semi-final.
The Ibrox boss is gearing up for his second look at Hampden since being appointed back in March.
His first experience of the national stadium ended in disappointment as the side he inherited from Mark Warburton were easily outclassed by Celtic in a one-sided 2-0 defeat.
This time, though, Caixinha is going in with a team he has largely constructed and now expects a vastly different outcome.
“We’re all excited about the game,” said the Portuguese coach. “We’re looking forward to a semi-final that we have built from the very beginning – not like (last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic) when we arrived and went directly there.
“It’s two different competitions, two different moments, two different teams – but just one thought. It’s about winning.
“We’re arriving now in much better condition. We’re getting an identity and playing like a team. The game against St Johnstone last week needs to be the basis. We need to play all the matches with the same principles, mentality, organisation and ambition to win.
“We’re really keen to win on Sunday and know what we need to do. It’s not going to be easy. We’re facing a tough opponent who is also passing through a great moment.
“But we only have two options – it’s win or win.”
Rangers scraped past Motherwell when they met back on the opening day of the Premiership season and the Ibrox boss has learned from his side’s 2-1 Fir Park win.
“We know if we let them express their game, which is a strong one, maybe we’re going to suffer,” he added.
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