Clint: Fired-up Gers can be the first side to stop Celtic in Hogmanay clash
From Back Page a Rangers player the objective is to be close to Celtic – you want to beat them.
“They are unbeaten as well so that would be a lovely scalp if we could do that. But it is going to be a big game.
“We want to close that gap on them as quickly as we can.
“We can’t compete financially or in terms of European football but hopefully we can close that gap as quickly as possible.
“If we can give a good, solid performance then hopefully it will begin to turn in our favour.”
Rangers are determined to go in to the Old Firm showdown on the back of five wins on the spin.
Mark Warburton’s men made it four on the bounce with the 1-0 victory against Inverness Caley Thistle on Christmas Eve but face a stiff test against St Johnstone in Perth tomorrow night.
Hill said: “Everything is about confidence. If we can go into that Celtic game with another win on Wednesday then we can be confident we can give them a game.
“We obviously need a bit of luck on the day. But hopefully we can do it. We want to do it as everybody else does.”
Rangers are still sweating on skipper Lee Wallace after the full-back pulled up late on in the Inverness win.
Hill is hoping the captain can recover but he insisted there are plenty of players who can step in to the breach.
He said: “Waldo is a tough boy
and hopefully he’ll pull through. He is our skipper, he is massive for the club.
“He has been here a long time and brings all that experience and knowledge of the club.
“He is a very calming influence on the pitch and in the dressing room, so he will be a miss if he is out. Hopefully he won’t be.
“We have a big squad, a hungry squad. People are disappointed to be out the squad or on the bench but that gives us an intensity in training. You have to be on your toes or someone will take your shirt.”
Warburton is considering shaking up his side for Saints but Hill insisted he’s up for the challenge of playing three games in a week.
The 38-year-old was man of the match against Caley Thistle and he is ready to go again tomorrow night and against Celtic.
He said: “I managed to do it when we played the semi-final and we went Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday.
“I got through that so I fancy my chances to do it again. We have a big squad now and most people are fit. I don’t know if the gaffer has got it in mind to mix it up a bit.”