Source: FOOTYMAD
St Johnstone Want To Spoil Rangers Plans
Fixture congestion could play a part in who wins what this year. Steven Davis believes Rangers have learnt the lessons from 2008 as they bid to juggle domestic duties with an extended run in Europe. Rangers went all the way to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester almost three years ago. However, the pace proved too much for them then as Walter Smith's men missed out on both that trophy and the SPL title. Despite the mental and physical demands of that period, Rangers are keen to do it all again after Thursday's away goals win over Sporting Lisbon saw them progress to the last 16 of the Europa League and a meeting with PSV Eindhoven. That is for another day as the focus turns to the game with St Johnstone and Davis is determined to go all the way on all fronts once again - but with a happier ending this time around. He said: "We will just try and learn from the experience of a few years ago. We will try to go as far as we can in each competition. It went down to the wire in every one the last time around. There is still a lot of football to be played and a long way to go before we can get to that stage but we will hopefully do as well as possible. To get to a European final was tremendous and we were delighted to get there so we will try to get as far as we can again this time. The demands on us as a club are to win every game we take part in and that's what we try to do. It's going to be a big ask but hopefully the manager will be able to freshen things up. We have seen already a few of the younger boys coming in and doing well and I'm sure they will get another opportunity between now and the end of the season.''Saints manager Derek McInnes does not expect Rangers to have a European hangover. The opposition have a deep enough pool of players to rotate the squad and have fresh bodies available. He does not believe fatigue from Rangers' exertions in Portugal will be a factor today. McInnes said: "It would be nice, but I don't expect it. I can't hide that's not something you would hope for, but at the same time Rangers are able to freshen their team up and whatever team we face on Sunday they'll be of a calibre and a level very, very difficult for us. I expect a really tough match, regardless if Rangers had got through the tie or not. I'm more concentrating on what we'll give Rangers and hopefully that's a tough game. Sunday's just about us going down there prepared and wanting to put in a performance we're capable of and hopefully it will be enough to get a result.'' And the former midfielder expects the announcement that Ally McCoist will succeed Smith as boss next season will provide a boost to his former team. He added: "If you're a player there it's good to have that stability and reassurance. Everybody's alluded to it and it was a foregone conclusion, but the fact it's been set in stone now and put out in the public domain I think it can only be a good thing.'' Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
