Pedro is in no rush to think about Celtic

FOR Rangers fans, the build-up has already begun.

But Pedro Caixinha insists his players will have just 48 hours to prepare for Saturday’s Old Firm clash.

The systematic Gers gaffer operates a strict one-gameat-a time policy to ensure his players remain focused.

With Tuesday night’s League Cup quarter-final with Partick Thistle still to be negotiated before Celtic’s visit to Ibrox, the Portuguese has yet to turn his attention to Brendan Rodgers’ side.

He will not do so until Thursday.

“I will have two days. That is enough time,” said the Gers gaffer.

“We play Tuesday, we will be off on Wednesday. That’s the plan, I’m not going to change anything.

“The boys who are playing on Tuesday will need two days to recover, so I will have time to think about it.”

Caixinha intends to use some of that time to catch up with Celtic’s midweek Champions League humbling at the hands of Paris St-Germain.

The Gers gaffer opted not to watch the Bhoys game live, choosing instead to take in Benfica’s defeat to CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon’s victory over Olympiacos.

But with a friendly clash with Benfica three weeks away, Caixinha insisted his logic was sound.

“Celtic will not play the same way they did against PSG,” he said.

“I wanted to enjoy a game without working and to see how the Portuguese teams are doing.

“The Benfica game was importantasweplaythem on October 6.”

Former Benfica man Daniel Candeias will be relishing the chance to face his former club after being denied the chance to make a single senior appearance in three years.

First-team football has been easier to come by since his summer move to Ibrox – and he is proving himself a potent weapon on the Gers’ right.

Caixinha explained: “We have a very pacy right wing, they are gaining an understanding of when one goes, one stays.

“When one is outside, the other is inside, the overlaps, the crosses – Danielistheplayerinthe league with most deliveries and crosses.

“That’s the reason I brought him here.

“We spoke last season about wanting more pace out wide and we have it now.”

Candeias is one star the Gers will need at his best when Celtic come calling.

Another is Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian played through the summer with former club HJK Helsinki and his manager knows Morelos’ situation may need to be managed.

But he is confident the striker’s youth will prevent him requiring the careful management required by more experienced stars.

“Sometimes the boys need rest,” said Caixinha.

“On Tuesday, neither Niko Kranjcar nor Lee Wallace trained.

“Morelos,at20years old, so far we haven’t seen it as important for him to have this kind of treatment.”