Rangers defender Danny Wilson: 'We need to take things one game at a time'

Danny Wilson has warned Rangers not to get ahead of themselves and start planning their European adventures early.

The Ibrox side can clinch a return to Europa League action if they beat Hibernian in next month's William Hill Scottish Cup final.

It is a tantalising prospect for the club and its supporters after four years of torment in the lower leagues.

But the Championship winners appear to have taken their foot off the gas in the week since booking their slot in the May 21 showpiece with last week's thrilling shoot-out victory over Celtic.

They lost to Alan Stubbs' men in Leith on Wednesday, gifting Hibs all three of their goals with defensive calamities, and were just as slack as they failed to get the party started ahead of being presented with the league trophy on Saturday as Alloa were allowed to nick a 1-1 draw from Ibrox.

Now defender Wilson has cautioned his side against believing they are all set to go on their travels next term, insisting the threat of the Easter Road men must be quelled first.

He said: Obviously with the cup final we've got the opportunity to get back into Europe - but we need to be wary of the threat that Hibs pose and take it one game at a time.

With the final it's a one-off and anything can happen but we need to be prepared for it and the follow on from that is if we do win the game we will be in Europe.

However, we need to get there first, that's the most important thing.''

Wilson got his hands on the Championship silverware for the second year running after leading former club Hearts to promotion 12 months ago.

But the former Jambos skipper admitted Saturday's title celebrations were spoiled by the performance against Alloa.

Gers gifted Michael Duffy the opener when Andy Halliday was short with a pass across his defence.

The Light Blues midfielder then wasted the chance to draw his side level when he fluffed a penalty but did put in the cross for James Tavernier to equalise from on the stroke of half-time.

There was no goal to kick-start the festivities after the break, however and Wilson admitted: It wasn't an especially good performance. It was nowhere near what we've been about all season.

It put a wee dampener on the day if I'm being honest and it just shows you what a difference six days can make.

After Sunday it was such a high but it's been a defeat and a draw since then and it's put us on a wee bit of a downer.

That happens over the course of the season and at the end of the day we got the job done in terms of the league.

We have a cup final to look forward to.''

Gers complete their league programme with trips to Livingston and St Mirren this week but then have three free weeks to fill before facing Hibs at Hampden.

But Wilson isn't worried, saying: We just need to stay mentally attuned, we have to force it upon us and we'll approach the game just as we've approached every game this season.

If you can't motivate yourself for a cup final then you're not worth your salt as a football player.

It shouldn't be an issue for us to stay on track.

We are delighted to be in the cup final but now we're in it we want to win it, we have to win it.

That will be enough motivation for us to carry on.''