McCALL DISMISSES PLASTIC PITCH FEAR

STUART McCALL insists Rangers will not face a psychological barrier when they return to Palmerston to begin their play-off quest against Queen of the South. The Ibrox side have lost 2-0 and 3-0 on their two previous visits to the plastic playing surface in Dumfries this season, the latter being the only defeat of McCall’s 11-game tenure. Rangers visit Palmerston for the first leg of the play-off quarter-final on Saturday evening — and McCall is adamant they will do so without any inhibiting anxiety. ‘We’ll train this week, we’ll put a

plan in position,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘There will be no psychological effect going down there, that’s for sure. ‘We’ll be confident over the two legs of progressing — as, I’m sure, Queen of the South will. I don’t expect the tie to be over one way or another after Saturday’s first game.’ Asked if Rangers would prepare by training on a plastic pitch, McCall replied: ‘We trained on the artificial surface at Murray Park before we went down to Palmerston the last time — and we ended up losing 3-0. ‘So it didn’t exactly help us, and being superstitious, it’s fair to say we won’t be doing that this time.’ Rangers were confirmed in third place in the Championship after Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle. That proved irrelevant, though, as Hibs beat Falkirk to secure second place and two fewer play-off matches in their bid for promotion.