Rangers´ best to come, says Novo

Nacho Novo has warned the rest of the Scottish Premier League that the best is yet to come from Rangers as they bid to increase their lead at the top of the table.

Walter Smith’s side leapfrogged leaders Celtic when they won their game in hand against Dundee United on Tuesday.

Rangers produced their best performance of the season in the 3-0 win at Tannadice with striker Novo playing a starring role in a win that puts them one point clear of Celtic.

The Ibrox side now have a crucial run of games over the Christmas period starting with Saturday’s visit of Motherwell but Spaniard Novo insists the squad are getting better all the time.

“I think we are coming into form at the right time. It is a crucial series of games and we need to be up for them,” Novo said.

“We were delighted to beat United, but we need to hit that level every game, and look to be even better as we have so many tough matches. The boys have been working really hard to get it right after some bad performances. I think the signs are better now, but we can improve.

“Everybody is fighting for each other and that is making a big difference for us just now. The boss has been on at us to make sure we press other teams and we did that really well at Tannadice. To win 3-0 up there was excellent.

“All over the park, from defence to midfield and the strikers, we have been very good and well organised in the last few games. The boys have been fantastic with three league wins in a row, and hopefully we can keep it going in the big games we have coming up.

Smith has been boosted by the return of injury of three first-team stars for the visit of Jim Gannon’s side on Saturday.

Keeper Allan McGregor should return to take his place between the sticks from Neil Alexander, who kept two clean sheets in his absence.

Kevin Thomson, who missed the match against Dundee United with a slight thigh strain, will be included in the squad as will American Maurice Edu, who has been out with a knee injury since May.

A win for Rangers would send them four points clear and put the pressure on Celtic, who don’t face Hearts at Tynecastle until Sunday.

However the Hoops will take some confidence from showing against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday when they came from three goals down to finish the game with a 3-3 draw.

Boss Tony Mowbray rested several first team players for the match in Austria with one eye on the game against Hearts but the performance of the fringe players will have given him something to think about.

Long-term injuries Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney will be missing for the game against a Hearts side who are without a win in three games.

In Saturday’s other games third-placed Hibernian face a tough away game against Aberdeen, Hamilton are at home to Dundee United, bottom two Kilmarnock and Falkirk meet at Rugby Park and fellow strugglers St Johnstone take on St Mirren.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Hibernian, Hamilton v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Falkirk, Rangers v Motherwell, St Johnstone v St Mirren

Sunday

Hearts v Celtic (1230)