Andy Halliday says Rangers need to show 'grit and desire' against Celtic
Andy Halliday believes Rangers have already proved they can match Celtic with last month's Parkhead draw - and now they are ready to go one step further.
Brendan Rodgers' rampant Hoops have reigned supreme this term, with two trophies already in the bag.
And they are looking to keep their treble bid on course when they face Gers in next Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final showdown.
However, midfielder Halliday says the Light Blues can take heart from the their last derby duel, when Clint Hill's last-gasp equaliser handed Rangers a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park four weeks ago.
Speaking after Saturday's 2-0 win over Partick Thistle, Halliday said: ''It's a big game, it's a semi-final, a knock-out competition.
If you can't get up for this game, you're in the wrong sport. It's a massive occasion, a global audience is watching. I've managed to be part of a few and I can't wait for the next one.
There were certainly positive signs when we went to Parkhead. We showed what a bit of grit and desire did on the day.
It wasn't the best football we've ever played but that hard work and determination - you can see what it can give you and it got us a positive result.
All the contributing factors will need to be firing for us on Sunday and then we'll hopefully get a good result.''
Kenny Miller and Jon Toral both struck to shoot down Jags as Gers handed new boss Pedro Caixinha his first set of back-to-back wins since taking over last month.
But Halliday stressed Gers need to show restraint or risk facing more Old Firm heartache next weekend.
He said: ''We've certainly got a bit of confidence. We had a really positive result against Aberdeen last week and we took that into Saturday's match.
We certainly don't need to get carried away. It's two wins, Celtic are obviously high in form themselves.
They've had a really consistent season which is something we've not managed to stamp our authority on.''
Thistle celebrated clinching a place in the top six for the first time since the league split was introduced 16 years ago last week, but could not raise themselves for their Ibrox visit.
But with five games remaining, defender Danny Devine insists his side are not eyeing up their summer break.
He told Jagzone: ''We said after the Motherwell game that we did not want to allow getting into the top six to affect our performances.
So it's disappointing from us to put in a display like Saturday's. But by no means are we putting the tools away. We still want to win games and end the season on a high.''