SEMI-FINAL IS HUGE FOR CAIXINHA, INSISTS ECK

ALEX McLEISH believes winning the League Cup would be massive for Pedro Caixinha — but says the Rangers boss faces a huge challenge in this weekend’s semi-final against Motherwell. McLeish, who lifted the trophy early in his own Ibrox reign, beating Ayr United in the final after emerging triumphant from an Old Firm semi, declared: ‘You have no idea how big winning the League Cup in 2003 was for me. ‘You go in there with a pre-conception of: “What if I never win a game against Celtic?”. The first goal was to make sure we weren’t embarrassed by Celtic. ‘Winning that League Cup semi-final when Bert Konterman scored the winner, it gave me reassurance that what I was doing was right. That cemented my beginning with Rangers. When I first came in as Rangers manager, eyebrows were raised at me taking over from Dick Advocaat. That was the first thing in my head as I thought: “Why should I be daunted by it?”. ‘The better way was to think: “What if I do well in this job? What if I usurp Celtic?”. That was the goal and those were the thoughts in my mind. The mental side of this game is vital, too. ‘So this is a huge game for Pedro. I think it’s time to go on a run for Rangers. ‘I would expect them to beat Motherwell, despite their tremendous run of late. ‘A cup win would set the bar high. It also gives the players an appetite to do it again. It can be inspiration. ‘That’s the kind of fillip it would give Rangers if they can get to the final and — who knows? — maybe even win it.’ McLeish — who was speaking on behalf of BT Sport yesterday — thinks Caixinha (left) is making progress, saying: ‘If you have bad results then time runs out for you. But there are increasing signs of improvement as last Friday’s result showed. ‘In a Rangers-Celtic world then you would always expect both clubs to beat St Johnstone but circumstances change. ‘Pedro has that challenge to keep that going and to make Rangers win the semi-final. Motherwell will have something to say about that, though.’