Bates insists Gers not overconfident

David Bates insists Rangers’ jubilant reaction to landing Celtic in the semifinals of the William Hill Scottish Cup is not a sign of over-confidence from the Ibrox troops.

Boss Graeme Murty revealed a huge roar erupted from his side’s dressing room after beating Falkirk in the last eight as they landed a Hampden showdown with their Old Firm rivals.

But speaking ahead of Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Brendan Rodgers’ treble-chasers, defender Bates said: “We’d won against Falkirk and were buzzing to be in the next round.

“Whoever we got, we’d have cheered anyway. Yeah there was a cheer but we’re just happy to be in the next round with a big game coming up.”

The Gers have won nine of their last 10 games across all competitions and can close to within three points of their archrivals if they triumph at Ibrox this weekend, albeit having played a game more.

Russell Martin was due to face the media yesterday but the centre-back failed to report amid rumours he is struggling with a back injury.

His defensive partner Bates was called in at the last minute to answer reporters’ questions and it now appears he will pair up with Bruno Alves as Rangers look to shackle Moussa Dembele and co.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes the pressure is firmly on Rangers going into Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

The Northern Irishman has not lost in eight matches against the Light Blues since he took over at Parkhead in 2016 and has won three out of three in Govan.

“It will be a tough game for us at Ibrox, of course, but we’ll get ready. We’ll work some elements of where we can hurt them and prepare really well for that and go there with confidence.

“They’ve got a bit more spirit, from what I see, and they’ve probably found a consistency, but they’ve played without pressure for most of my time up here so they’ll feel this little bit of pressure in the game because it’s a game they have to win.

“We want to win it, of course, the same as every game we play, and especially against our rivals,” Rodgers added.

Picture: SNS David Bates seems likely to partner Bruno Alves against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.