Gers boss has mind on Killie game

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has called a meeting of players and coaching staff – to discuss Celtic’s match at Kilmarnock.

McLeish is busy making preparations for the most important match of the season, Sunday’s visit of Dunfermline.

But with champions Celtic level on points and goal difference with the Ibrox side every Rangers fan knows that what happens at Rugby Park at the same time is also crucial.

McLeish wants his players to be aware exactly what is required of them and duff information has infamously cost sides in the past, with Manchester City managing to get themselves relegated in 1996 by playing keep-ball when they should have been chasing goals.

So McLeish has to decide just how much information to give his players – and when to give it.

He told Rangers News: “We are not quite sure how to do it in terms of what is happening at the other game.

“We will talk to the players and the rest of the coaching staff to see what they would be comfortable with.

“We will obviously be aware of what is going on at Rugby Park but have to be focused on our own game.”

Ibrox boasts two large “Jumbotron” screens that are used to replay footage of goals just after they are scored so these could also be used to keep everyone abreast of events elsewhere on a day when many fans will have two eyes on the match and one ear glued to a pocket radio.

Rangers are currently top by virtue of having scored a single goal more than their rivals.

They also boast home advantage against a team that has nothing to play for, while Killie know they must win to stand any chance of pipping Hearts for the final UEFA Cup place.

But McLeish insisted his players were still facing a major task.

He said: “We have a great advantage going into the last day and are playing at home in front of our own fans, who will be at fever pitch.

“Their energy will drive us on. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Dunfermline and I certainly won’t say it is going to be a formality or talk about running up a cricket score.

“The bottom line is we know what the team have to do and we aim to go out and do it.

“Dunfermline are a good side and I have a lot of respect for Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl.

“The latter is an ex-Rangers player and the former is a good Govan man but I don’t expect any favours from them.”

Striker Shota Arveladze, whose missed penalty at Hearts last week will soon prove to be utterly irrelevant or hugely costly, has also let his mind wander down the A77.

He said: “Every touch will be important against Dunfermline and it could even go right to the last minute.

“We will be asking “what is the score at Rugby Park? How long to play? And things like that and the supporters inside Ibrox will be making some noise.

“The fans are very important. They could even be worth two goals in a match like this.”