McLeish wants Gers response

McLeish wants Gers response

Rangers missed De Boer's influence at Celtic Park

Rangers manager Alex McLeish says a big improvement is needed from his players if they are to have any chance of retaining the CIS Insurance Cup.

The first silverware of the Scottish season is up for grabs when the Ibrox club and Celtic meet at Hampden Park on Sunday.

The Glasgow giants met last Saturday on league business with Celtic emerging 1-0 winners, thanks to a John Hartson goal.

McLeish's men were decidedly second best on the day and he wants to see a return to the kind of form which saw them go unbeaten in the previous six Old Firm encounters.

"We didn't play as we can play," admitted McLeish.

"As usual, the hysteria regarding the performance was over the top but we can play a lot better and we know that - no-one has to tell us that.

"It's a game between Rangers and Celtic so, whoever wins, I'm sure there will be excessive headlines and whoever loses, the manager and the players will be duds.

"That's the way things are with Rangers and Celtic - black and white."

We are still top of the league and will be right up for this game

Ronald de Boer
Rangers midfielder

McLeish will be boosted by the return of playmaker Ronald de Boer, who missed out last week with a calf injury, but the Rangers boss is confident those who failed to impress at Celtic Park will be able to make amends.

He said: "I'm sure, positive, that we will offer more than we did last week.

"I think there has been a very positive attitude from the players this week.

"They've lost one game and it's the first time they've lost to Celtic in a while so I don't think any confidence has been lost with regards facing Celtic."

On Wednesday de Boer said: "I'm fully fit and back in training. There are no doubts over my fitness for the match - none at all.

"We are still top of the league and will be right up for this game. In fact, that result has made us even more determined."

"Celtic will have taken a lot of confidence from their Uefa Cup run but may lose a little sharpness due to the number of games recently.

"Only time will tell whether still being in Europe will help them but we are out to do everything we can to try to exploit any weaknesses."

De Boer scored in his two previous meetings with Celtic and his recovery is a major bonus for McLeish who has already ruled out his fellow Dutchman Arthur Numan.

Frenchman Jerome Bonissel will keep his place in the side after deputising for Numan at Parkhead.

Steven Thompson is ineligible to play in Sunday's showdown after featuring in the earlier rounds of the competition with former club Dundee United.

Michael Mols is expected to replace the 24-year-old striker in the squad for Hampden.

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