Dundee result our only focus, says Ross McCrorie
Ross McCrorie has told Rangers to forget about their upcoming Old Firm showdown - insisting Saturday's clash with Dundee is the one that could make or break their season.
Last updated 5th Apr 2018
The Light Blues have not won since being sucker-punched by Brendan Rodgers' 10-man Hoops at Ibrox last month.
However, they face their bitter rivals again in the semi-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup a week on Sunday.
But defender McCrorie - fit again after three months out with a foot injury - fears Rangers' chances of halting the Parkhead side's bid for a historic double treble as well as snatching second spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership could be derailed if they slip-up again when Neil McCann's Dark Blues visit Ibrox on Saturday.
"This game at the weekend comes first and foremost,'' said the 20-year-old. "Once we get that out the road we will focus on next week.
"Dundee is a huge game for us this season.
"We need to get a victory and give us some momentum going into the split and the semi-final.''
Defeats to Celtic and Kilmarnock were followed up with another disappointing 2-2 draw at Motherwell last weekend.
That has allowed Aberdeen to steal a march in the race for second spot.
The Dons now hold a three-point lead over Graeme Murty's team while Hibernian have also snuck to within a point of Rangers.
McCrorie admits his side are letting the Light Blues faithful down but revealed Murty has not been shy to bare his teeth in recent days.
He said: "If we're not playing well in any game, the manager will always come in and say a few words.
"That's what you expect from a manager though if you want to get the best out of the players.
"The gaffer has different ways of dealing with things. Obviously people see he has that nice side to him. But all managers have to go through the boys at some point.
"It's not just Aberdeen we have to worry about as Hibs are now starting to catch us up.
"There is pressure every game you play for Rangers so you have to get used to it. If you can't, you won't play for this club for long.
"Right now we know we need to start playing better. The fans deserve a lot better than what they have been getting.''
McCrorie was a frustrated spectator during last month's 3-2 loss to Celtic.
But he denied that derby defeat has left his team-mates mentally sapped.
"My target was actually to get back for the last Old Firm game but I didn't make it,'' said the Scotland Under-21 international.
"Now we've got another one at Hampden coming up and I want to get back in the team for then.
"Can we beat them? You never know what can happen on the day. First and foremost we need to turn up and put in a performance.
"I wouldn't say confidence is an issue after the last game against Celtic. It just so happens that result has coincided with a poor run of form.
"But on Old Firm day anything can happen so we'll just wait and see.'