Rangers can´t afford slips, warns Papac

Sasa Papac says Rangers must continue their winning ways if they are to clinch a domestic treble this season.

The Bosnian defender has been an integral part of Walter Smith’s side which sit second in the Scottish Premier League, four points behind Celtic and he played as the Ibrox club clinched a place in the Scottish League Cup final on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Falkirk.

As Rangers prepare to take on Dundee United in the league on Saturday the left-back says the Gers can’t afford to drop many more points if they are to catch their Old Firm rivals at the top of the table.

“Every trophy is important and we want to win every available one,” Papac said.

“There are three trophies available to Rangers and so we will give everything we can to challenge as strongly as possible for all three. We cannot afford to drop any points if we can help it.

“But we go into the Dundee United league game in very good shape with confidence high and that is very important.

“If you look at the Falkirk game we created many chances and it could have been more and, of course, we kept a clean sheet.

“That is not easy in games as important as a semi-final when the other team are giving everything to make the final as well.”

With strikers Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller all in goal-scoring form, Papac has no doubt that Rangers have the firepower to blast their way to domestic dominance.

Papac said: “We have four or five great strikers and you never know who will start and that is great as it keeps everyone very sharp.”

On Sunday, Old Firm rivals Celtic, who will meet Rangers in the League Cup final, travel north to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The game marks Terry Buthcher’s first match in charge of the bottom placed club and the former Rangers player will want a win to try and overtake Falkirk.

Hoops manager Gordon Strachan has no fresh injury worries after his side were taken to extra-time and penalties by Dundee United on Wednesday in the League Cup semi-final.

In Saturday’s other games, Falkirk take on Aberdeen looking for their first league win in ten matches.

The Dons are high in confidence after last weekend’s draw against Rangers coming straight after their defeat of Celtic.

Hamilton host Hearts at New Douglas Park with both sides looking for their fourth straight win in the league.

Motherwell travel to Edinburgh to take on Hibernian at Easter Road. A win would see Motherwell leapfrog into sixth place.

St Mirren host Kilmarnock for the first ever game at the new Greenhill Road stadium after the club left Love Street.

The Paisley side will be desperate to get off to a winning start at their new ground while Killie haven’t won in four league games.

Fixtures (1500GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Falkirk v Aberdeen, Hamilton v Hearts, Hibernian v Motherwell, Rangers v Dundee United, St Mirren v Kilmarnock (1230)

Sunday

Inverness CT v Celtic (1400)