Defeat to Well not an option, says Caixinha

Pedro Caixinha has told Rangers that defeat is not an option when they face Motherwell in tomorrow’s Betfred Cup semi-final.

The Ibrox boss is gearing up for his second look at Hampden since being appointed back in March.

His first experience of the national stadium ended in disappointment as the side he inherited from Mark Warburton was easily outclassed by Celtic in a one-sided 2-0 defeat.

This time, though, Caixinha is going in with a team he has largely constructed and now expects a vastly different outcome.

“We’re all excited about the game,” said the Portuguese coach. “We’re looking forward to a semi-final that we have built from the very beginning – not like (last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic) when we arrived and went directly there.

“It’s two different competitions, two different moments, two different teams – but just one thought. It’s about winning.

“We’re arriving now in much better condition. We’re getting an identity and playing like a team. The game against St Johnstone last week needs to be the basis. We need to play all the matches with the same principles, mentality, organisation and ambition to win.

“We’re really keen to win on Sunday and know what we need to do. It’s not going to be easy. We’re facing a tough opponent who is also passing through a great moment.

“But we only have two options – it’s win or win.”

Caixinha has found himself under pressure at various points during his Ibrox reign.

But having scored seven goals in their last two wins over Hamilton and St Johnstone, his side can now string together three straight wins for the first time under his watch if they can topple Stephen Robinson’s on-form outfit.

That would take much of the pressure off his shoulders but Caixinha denied there was a need for him to go all the way in the League Cup to preserve his position.

He said: “I know we’re working to win this trophy. But I don’t work by need.

“If I have need for this or that, I go to the supermarket.

“I’m here to work hard to build a team that needs to be a winning team. And winning teams normally win trophies.”

Pedro Caixinha points the way to League Cup glory. Picture: SNS.