Rangers confident ahead of Old Firm clash, says Graeme Murty

Graeme Murty says Rangers are in a good place as they prepare for two crucial games against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

The Ibrox side will be looking to cut the champions' lead at the top of the Premiership to three points when they square up on Sunday, however Brendan Rodgers' side have a game in hand.

The two clubs were paired together in the Scottish Cup semi-final draw following Rangers' 4-1 home win over Championship side Falkirk on Sunday, a draw which was cheered by the Gers players in their changing room.

The semi-finals will take place next month but with nine wins and one defeat since the turn of the year, Murty is more than happy with his side's current form.

"They are flowing with confidence right now and they want to get into the games against Celtic,'' he told Rangers TV.

"They are going to relish the challenge and I think it is a really good marker for us to look at a team that want to get into that game and want to go and mix it up.''

Murty, who has drawn twice at Celtic Park as Gers boss, explained how he will manage the build-up to next Sunday's game at Ibrox as they look to further reduce the Hoops' lead at the top of the table.

Murty said: "Some people are going to rest and relax; some people are going to get numerous massages and down days, but some people have to get some minutes in.

"So we are going to try and get a closed-door game so we can get some minutes into some people to make sure they are sharp enough to go and perform when called upon.

"Then, we can start to build towards Celtic towards the end of the week.

"We need to debrief the Falkirk game first though as there are certain aspects that I wasn't very happy with, and I think the squad are the same.

"But, we need to also take the positive atmosphere we have running through the squad and enhance that before a big, big game that we have at the weekend, as it is going to be something special hopefully.'

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