Cup final defeat has no significance as Caixinha focuses on ‘different contest’

Rangers’ dramatic William Hill Scottish Cup final defeat by Hibernian will not be used as motivation by manager Pedro Caixinha for tomorrow’s clash at Ibrox.

The clubs have not met since 21 May, 2016, when a David Gray header in stoppage time gave Hibs a historic 3-2 victory which preceded a pitch invasion resulting in numerous arrests.

Ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership game against Neil Lennon’s newly-promoted side, Caixinha, who took over from former Rangers manager Mark Warburton in March, was asked if the final would be used to fire up his side.

“No,” said the Portuguese, pictured, who revealed that captain Lee Wallace will have a scan on a leg injury which led to Lee Hodson taking over before the 6-0 Betfred Cup final win over Dunfermline at Ibrox on Wednesday.

“Football is a moment, there are no two games played the same way. The contest is different, what was to be fought for is totally different, so we just want to focus on the three points that we want to take, that’s all.

“My concern is to prepare the team, recover the players and make them ready for a strong start at 3pm on Saturday.” Caixinha was pleased with the way his side performed against Dunfermline to set up a quarter-final clash with Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Portugal defender Bruno Alves’ wonderful free-kick from 25 yards, after Kenny Miller had given the home side an early lead, brought Ibrox to its feet. The 35-year-old, who signed a two-year deal from Cagliari in May, was glad to get a chance to polish his deadball skills, usually denied to him with Portugal by Cristiano Ronaldo. “Yes, he doesn’t give so many chances but he is the best, he shows us that he can score very well,” said Alves with a smile. “It is one of his specialities, he has so many good skills it is just one more and we are learning everydaywithhimwhenweare together.

“But now there is also space for Joao Moutinho and Raphael Guerreiro to take some free-kicks too. It is something I used to do for the teams I have played for over the years and I scored some goals.

“But we have other players who can do it. The moment will decide who is going to take [a free-kick]. It’s not important, it is important that the team wins in the end.

“I prefer much more not to lose goals than score.

“We have strikers and players that need [goals] for getting more confidence. It is extra for me.

“It is important to make a really good defence and if I can score and help the team then [all the] better.” how good he is and proved to himself how effective he can be when he wants it.

“Every player generally is a top player in the Premiership because they have something so if you show the right attitude that ability comes to the fore.”

Delighted to help Dundee into the next round of the cup, Haber seems keen to keep his head down to ensure he remains in his manager’s good books.

“What the gaffer says to me in-house and on the training ground is the only important thing,” said Haber.

“I am just trying to work hard and to contribute. Whoever the first-choice striker is, is down to the gaffer. I am just trying my best every day to give him a dilemma.

“Competition for places is healthy and I am sure everybody would agree with that.”