‘Clean sheet is cherry on cake’

Perth. Caixinha said: “I think it was the best collective performance since we arrived. Very compact, very addicted to the game plan.

“Knowing everybody at the same time what they needed to do.

“Quality and keeping possessions, attacking spaces when it was needed – and fighting collectively and defensively.

“So it was the best collective performance. And the cherry on the top of the cake is a clean sheet.

“We want the team to perform like this all the time, knowing how to make the team very balanced in every position.

“We didn’t give up spaces, didn’t give freedom for them to counter attack.

“That is something we worked at very hard all week and the boys understood it very well.

“The defensive basics were very clear. We talked about relationships between the back four and the midfield, the back four and the wingers – and it all worked.”

After recording successive wins as they have bounced back from their Old Firm defeat last month, Rangers will now turn their attentions to the Betfred Cup semi-final against Motherwell next Sunday.

The Steelmen will provide another stern test for Caixinha’s side as they attempt to build some momentum this term.

But the Portuguese is confident the Light Blues can rise to the occasion at Hampden and set up a final showdown with Celtic or Hibernian.

Caixinha said: “Now the moment is for the boys to enjoy – they’re going to have three days off.

“So am I. I’m closing the store and not going to think about football.

“Tuesday and Wednesday, we have all the information on Motherwell and will work on that.

“The desire is there in both teams to win. The opponents will be tough.

“This is going to be the most important game of the season.”