CANNING IS TARGETING ANOTHER IBROX SHOCK

MARTIN CANNING knows much has changed in the 12 months or so since Hamilton travelled to Ibrox and returned with three points. For a start, both goalscorers have left for pastures new. It is why the Accies boss insists that surprise 2-0 victory last season will have little bearing on tomorrow’s clash at the same venue — other than to prove once again that, on any given day, any team can beat any other team. Back then, goals from David Templeton and Darren Lyon put a managerless and chaotic Rangers to the sword. They both now ply their trade in England — for Burton Albion and Peterborough United respectively — while the Ibrox club have steadied themselves under the stewardship of Steven Gerrard and sit second in the Premiership table, two points behind Celtic. Much change, indeed. ‘You can’t use last season’s win because it’s got no relevance to this game,’ said Canning (below), whose side are in a battle at the other end of the table. ‘But you can use the fact if you get it right on the day, you can win. ‘We know if everyone does their job and plays to their potential, we’re capable of winning the game. ‘We are in a league within a league. They’re challenging at the top but there are four teams at the bottom of the table and we badly need the points to get away from everybody. ‘It’s a risk to play a certain way, given the quality they have. If they score early, you could end up needing to change. ‘It’s different at Ibrox, as well. You have to be organised and defensively sound because you know they’ll have the majority of the ball. It’s about limiting their opportunities.’ Rangers will be looking to get back to winning ways quickly after being dumped out of Europe on Thursday. Gerrard’s side failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat away to Rapid Vienna, making it just four wins from their last 12 games. ‘People always ask if it’s a good time to get them after Europe but you never know until after the game,’ said Canning. ‘I’d imagine they are hurting but they’ll now have one sole focus and that’s to finish as high up the league as they can. ‘They might have a hangover after the disappointment but it could also provide a reaction.’