Caixinha says Gers can exploit weaknesses

Rangers boss confident Ibrox men can capitalise on Hoops’ flaws

If Real Madrid cannot claim to be perfect, neither can Celtic, according to Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha.

The new Ibrox manager will sample Old Firm action from the dugout for the first time when his side take on Brendan Rodgers’ rampant Hoops in Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final showdown.

The Light Blues support are praying their team can register their first derby triumph of the campaign at Hampden and halt Celtic’s seemingly unstoppable charge towards a domestic clean sweep.

No Scottish side has so far been able to topple Rodgers’ team this campaign, with the Parkhead men looking to chalk up their 47th game without defeat at the National Stadium.

Caixinha said: “All teams have weaknesses – even the best teams in the world at this moment ...

“The only question is can you identify them? Can you get your team to expose them and then exploit them?”

Celtic’s chances will be boosted by the availability of their skipper Scott Brown despite his weekend red card against Ross County.

Brown is free to face Gers after the newly crowned Ladbrokes Premiership champions lodged an appeal against the dismissal, with the hearing scheduled to take place on Thursday.

He is unlikely to escape punishment, though, with the midfielder’s lunge on Staggies striker Liam Boyce judged a sending-off offence by referee Don Robertson.

But Caixinha, who could have Clint Hill back from injury for Sunday’s game, will not argue with Rodgers’ decision to contest the case in order to make use of his captain.

“We would do the same,” confessed the Portuguese coach.

Robertson did not get it all right in Dingwall, however, with his decision to reward County forward Alex Schalk’s blatant dive with a penalty sparking a fresh round of debate on the standard of Scottish officiating.

The under-fire whistler will be on duty again on Sunday after being appointed as one of the additional assistant referees helping out Willie Collum.

Picture: SNS. Pedro Caixinha is looking forward to his first Old Firm game in charge of Rangers.