Amoruso: It's time to get nasty with Celtic

Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso has declared that the days of watching Celtic run away with the league are now over.

The Italian is convinced the Ibrox squad possesses more quality than that of Martin O'Neill at Parkhead and has vowed to prove it next season.

Rangers lifted both cups last season and are unbeaten in Old Firm clashes under Alex McLeish.

But Celtic have romped to both titles in the two seasons O'Neill has been at the helm.

Speaking from Rangers' New York training base as they prepared to play River Plate, Amoruso said: "I said before the League Cup semi-final that it was time for Rangers to get nasty against Celtic.

"We had to grit our teeth and work harder than them. That was the main thing because I think technically we are far better than them.

"On the football side of things I think Rangers are better equipped now. We are all looking forward to the new season and if we can avoid injury then I'm sure we can have a successful one.

"We are desperate to get back into it especially given the way we ended last year. We know it will be tough because we may end up playing 50-odd games.

"But we will have to cope because we have to win the league. By Christmas time last year it was no contest because we were so far behind Celtic on points.

"That can't happen again because as well as finishing first you have the chance to play in the Champions League and that's something this club has missed.

"I don't care what happens across the other side of the city and not everyone is bothered by what they do. We must just look at Rangers.

"There is no magical formula that allows you to win games, you have to work for it. If you get that and the spirit then even when you are having a bad day, you can rely on your mates to pull you through."