Prove we’re

or in the halves, but insists the team’s fortunes are paramount – especially with some crunch Super League fixtures hot on the horizon.

“We see ourselves as a topeight team and with Leeds, Catalans and Hull KR coming up we have opportunities to take points from the people near us,” said Rankin, the former Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers players.

“The next month is so important to us, but all we can do is take it one game at a time and the next one is Leeds.

“We are in the eight at the moment and it’s our job to stay there, so these are massive weeks for us looking forward to the final run-in to the season.”

Rankin is an ever-present this season and says the return of club captain Leroy Cudjoe after nine months out following knee surgery will be crucial to the Giants going forward.

Cudjoe scored the Giants only try in his first game back, the 20-6 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup exit to Catalans Dragons at the John Smith’s.

And Rankin said: “Leroy is one of those players who you get a lot of confidence from just knowing he is in the team.

“He is the club captain, he is an outstanding player and he’s a great servant of the game who has been here a very long time, so there is no doubt if he can get back to his best form it’s got to be good, because we know what he is capable of.

“He scored a try and was man of the match (against Catalans) and it’s just about him improving week after week and gaining more confidence.”

Rankin says Leeds cannot be underestimated, even though they have injury problems of their own and have lost their last three Super League matches.

“It was frustrating for us to not make a winning start under the new head coach, especially with