MARK Warburton insists Rangers will go into next month’s Betfred Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic with no fear.

Gers were humiliated by their Old Firm foes earlier this month as they were treated to a 5-1 Parkhead drubbing.

Now the sides will face off again at Hampden over the weekend of October 22 having been paired together in Thursday’s draw for the last four, with Aberdeen facing Ladbrokes Championship side Morton in the other semi-final clash.

But asked if he was worried about having enough time to bridge the gulf in class exposed last time out, Warburton said: “I’m not worried about that.

“It’s a Hampden semi-final so whoever you draw I’m sure the Rangers end will be packed.

“We’re looking forward to it. It’s as simple as that. We’re fighting for a place in a cup final, so tremendous.”

The Light Blues followed up their derby disaster with a 0-0 draw against Ross County before booking their place in the semis with a 5-0 romp over Queen of the South.

And skipper Lee Wallace reckons his side are at least moving in the right direction before taking on Brendan Rodgers’s team again.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Aberdeen, the captain said: “We knew there was a high chance of this draw happening and now we know it’s going to be a difficult game.

“The Ross County result last week was far from what we want – it’s a million miles away from the result we were after.

“But there were small steps with the performance and the gelling of the new players. We got a clean sheet and the performance level was better than the previous week against Celtic.

“Then on Tuesday, to get five goals with some really good individual performances was great. I sat out the game but really did enjoy watching it.

“So we are making small steps and it is the only way we can do it. There are a couple of guys in the dressing room still searching for their best form – and I put myself in that category. When you are feeling that way you just have to come in here and work that bit harder.

“There’s not a magic pill you can take to get that form back. It’s a process.

“We know as a team we need to get back playing at the top of our game but we’ve taken two decent steps towards that.

“We will obviously get to Celtic when that game comes but before that we have a tough game on Sunday and that will be the main focus.”


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