O'Halloran Unfazed By Ibrox Challenge

Winger Michael O'Halloran insists Ibrox will hold no fears for St Johnstone ahead of the Scottish League Cup third-round clash with Rangers. O'Halloran has been a thorn in Premiership defenders' sides this season but he will also be tasked with pegging back Rangers left-back Lee Wallace on Tuesday night.

The one-time Bolton and Celtic player acknowledges Gers fans view the tie against Premiership opposition as an ideal chance to assess the progress the Ibrox side is making under boss Mark Warburton, with an 11-game winning run under his belt.

But O'Halloran insists Saints harbour League Cup ambitions of their own.

He said: "Rangers are doing okay in the division they are in, scoring goals, and not conceding many. But it is hard to judge how good they are.

"They are doing well and we will be wary of them.

"It is an incentive to be the first team to beat them this season but our priority is getting to the next round of the competition.

"That is the main objective. We want to go as far as we can in the cup."

Manager Tommy Wright has watched Rangers on several occasions to map out his game plan.

O'Halloran said: "Their full-backs have been dangerous and they have been scoring goals from that area. But they should be thinking of us as well.

"First and foremost we are looking to score ourselves and keep it tight at the back.

"Last season we took pride from our clean sheets and being a tough team to break down. So far it has been the other way.

"But we have been working on things, reminding ourselves what we were doing last season."

Manager Wright insists Ibrox holds no fear for players with Europa League experience under their belts.

He said: "Mark and David Weir have put together a quality squad but we have gone to Celtic and won and beaten big teams away in Europe.

"Rangers have enjoyed a lot of possession in games this season but we have players here who are comfortable on the ball and that will be important.

"You could say Rangers haven't had a test like this so far but that would be disrespectful to clubs like Hibs in particular. They are a big club."