Warburton to the point with players ahead of Hoops game

“We know the dressing rooms, we are familiar with the setup”

Rangers manager Mark Warburton will not allow his players to be distracted by memories of last season’s Scottish Cup final loss to Hibs when they take on Celtic in the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup at Hampden on Sunday.

Supporters marred the Edinburgh club’s 3-2 win by invading the pitch with fights and claims of attacks on Rangers players and staff ruining the day.

Rangers last month issued a statement demanding the SFA take action to ensure there is no repeat of the disorder, adding: “It should be understood Rangers will not tolerate any of their employees being attacked with impunity.”

But Warburton insisted neither he nor his players will be focused on the past and said: “It wouldn’t even enter our minds at all. People way above our pay grade will deal with that.”

Warburton and his players have happier memories of Mount Florida from last season after their semifinal victory against the Hoops and their Petrofac Cup final victory against Peterhead.

Warburton hopes his men can put on a display closer to those than the one they managed last month, when Brendan Rodgers’ rampant side dished out a merciless 5-1 battering.

“I hope the big, wide pitch suits us,” he said. “Offensively there are more spaces to play in but defensively it means there are also more areas to cover.

“But it’s a pitch we have performed well on before. We’re up against a team in form but we have to keep getting better and hope we get the kind of performance which gives us the result we’re seeking.

“The fact we’ve beaten Celtic there before doesn’t come into it. What does is the fact we know the dressing rooms, we are familiar with the whole setup of a big occasion at the national stadium.

“The hotel, the journey time, getting everything right. That’s important, but everything else? Not at all.”

Warburton knows his men are under pressure to prove there is not a major gulf between the teams following their Parkhead pasting.

However, the manager also knows the momentum his team has built since that match is fragile and he is cautious not to heap too much on their shoulders, adding: “It’s a big fixture, one of the biggest derbies in world football, so we’re very aware of the significance to the supporters and everyone associated with the clubs.

“It’s a semi-final at Hampden, so it’s a different kind of atmosphere to Ibrox or Parkhead.

“We have to recognise we’re building here what we hope will be very strong foundations for the future. This game is another step on that journey.”

Warburton has denied he deliberately snubbed an interview with BT Sport ahead of Friday night’s win at Inverness.

Reports earlier this week claimed the broadcaster wanted talks with the SPFL after the Rangers manager failed to speak to them in the Highlands either before or after the match.

But Warburton, who has been heavily criticised by BT Sport pundit and former Celtic forward Chris Sutton this season, said: “There is no situation with BT Sport.

“I’m bemused by the media. The fact is on Friday I had a couple of things I had to do. Every manager gets busy.”

Stay focused: MarkWarburton’s message