Mixu Paatelainen believes Rangers will have one eye on their forthcoming Champions League game against Manchester United when they travel to Kilmarnock this weekend.
Nevertheless the Killie boss backed the Scottish champions to be professional enough to still hit top form against his side in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.
Paatelainen said: "I think the Manchester United game will be on their minds. It's a massive occasion playing Manchester United and they have a chance of qualifying for the further stages of the Champions League, which is an unbelievable achievement if that happens. But they are professional enough to handle matches and that's why they are involved in many competitions."
Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their last four matches, netting 10 goals along the way.
They were boosted further when goalkeeper Cammy Bell and Craig Bryson both earned their first Scotland caps midweek.
Bryson credited Paatelainen and his assistant Kenny Shiels with his call-up to Craig Levein`s squad but the Killie boss insisted: "It's not down to us.
"We are here to help the players to play well and hopefully improve.
"We have only been here for a few months and the previous coaches that the players have had will have had a lot of say in their ability today.
"Most of all it's down to the boys - they put the effort in, they train and they take on board the coaches' advice.
"All credit goes to the players."
Source: PA
