Rock-solid Rangers eye 10-point lead

01 October 2011 04:35

Rangers manager Ally McCoist says his side's rock solid defence is the key to why the Ibrox club could move 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

Due to Celtic's involvement in the Europa League Rangers take on Hibernian at Ibrox a day before their Old Firm rivals face a difficult away trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts.

A win against Hibs would see Rangers open a 10-point gap after just 10 games played.

Forwards Steven Naismith, Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty have earned the plaudits this season having scored 17 times between them in all competitions.

But McCoist was quick to single out the new look Rangers rearguard, who have kept seven clean sheets in the league so far, for praise and says they can get better.

"I am very pleased with how the defence has been functioning this season. They look solid and happy playing together," McCoist said.

"Having said that, there is always room for improvement. But keeping a clean sheet is always important and I am pleased we have been doing that. If we can do that then I feel we have got players who can nick a goal at the other end.

"When things aren't going your way up front, it is very important that you don't make any mistakes at the back. Going behind puts unnecessary pressure on the forwards to score.

"You are always concerned in any game until you score the first goal. But in that situation it is imperative that you defend well as a team. There is a long way to go. But our league results, our defensive displays and our clean sheets are encouraging."

McCoist will welcome captain David Weir into his squad for the match but Kyle Bartley will miss out through injury.

On Sunday, Celtic make the trip to Tynecastle for the first time since manager Neil Lennon was attacked in his dugout there by a fan in May.

Security has been beefed up at the stadium to help ensure the shocking scenes that marred Celtic's last visit are not repeated.

Celtic will want to make up for the disappointment of conceding a late goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Udinese in the Europa League.

The Hoops will be without captain Scott Brown for several weeks as the midfielder faces a visit to a specialist to see about an on-going ankle problem.

Second bottom Aberdeen will hope to get their season back on track when Dunfermline visit Pittodrie on Friday night.

On Saturday, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone will be looking to bounce back from midweek defeats as they face each other at Rugby Park.

Bottom of the table Inverness Caledonian Thistle take on St Mirren at the Caledonian Stadium. Elsewhere, Dundee United welcome high-flying Motherwell to Tannadice.

Fixtures (1400 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Dundee United v Motherwell, Inverness CT v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v St Johnstone, Rangers v Hibernian

Sunday

Hearts v Celtic (1145)

Source: AFP