DEREK JOHNSTONE: Rangers stars must put Celtic hype on back burner

But Rangers can't allow the thought of facing Celtic in the League Cup semi-final to

distract them in the coming months as they bid for success in the Championship, Scottish Cup and Challenge Cup.

The derby game is the one everyone is talking about and that shows how keen people in Scotland, and abroad, are to have this fixture back.

There will be a lot of talking and a lot of hype between now and kick-off, but Rangers have a number of important games and it is imperative that they focus on those matches.

The Celtic game will always be at the back of their mind. It is hard not to think about it.

It will give the Rangers players a boost knowing they have this massive game coming up. They'll all want to play in it.

If that doesn't give you a lift, then nothing will. If you don't want to play in semi finals and finals and play in Old Firm games then you shouldn't be at Rangers.

It was going to happen sooner or later that we would be drawn against Celtic and I am pleased to have the derby back.

It is a great talking point, not just amongst Rangers fans and Celtic fans, but amongst people across the country.

These are the matches that stand out in Scottish football and it will bring some excitement back to our game again.

Normally the hype and talk doesn't start until the week before the game but there will be a three-month build-up to this game and everyone is desperate for it to come along.

There are a lot of players in both teams who have never played in an Old Firm fixture before and that makes this one a bit different as well.

It is fine being a good player and having people explain to you what it is all about.

But you don't really know about it until you step out onto the park and experience it.

You will get told all about the atmosphere and the

passion and what it means to win an Old Firm game.

But when you walk down the tunnel and out on to the park, that is when you realise what you are involved in.

The noise just hits you. It is a must-win. Playing in an Old Firm game. is about bottle There are so many players who have fallen flat on their faces because they can't handle it.

If you have got the heart the size of a pea, don't even bother turning up for the game.

It means everything for the players to win these games and it means everything for the fans as well.

The atmosphere will be like nothing the players who haven't played in one will have experienced before.

And this one might even take aback some the guys who have been there and done it. There is no doubt that Hampden will be bouncing.

The players will have heard about it, but you don't know until you are there. It is about having the bottle to go and perform.

Beyond question, we have missed having the derby in Scotland and when you haven't had the chance to play in and watch an Old Firm game, the hype surrounding the next one will really build.

It is imperative that everyone is in the right frame of mind for it and I am sure they will be come the big day.

Ally and his staff will make sure the players are well up for it but equally well aware of what is expected of them.

It will be a moment to savour for the players, this could well be the biggest game they have played in their careers.

When you step out on to the park before the game, that is when reallky comes home.

But the players have to bide their time and concentrate on other games.

What you don't want is the competitive nature to come out of their game as you get closer to the semi-final.

You can't have players maybe pulling out of 50-50s for fear of getting injured. Players can't think that way and there is no way you can take your foot off the gas at Rangers.

It is so important that we keep up this winning run as we look to catch, and hopefully overtake, Hearts.

Starting with Falkirk on Saturday, Rangers have a number of massive games coming up in the league, including the trip to Tynecastle later this month.

With a Petrofac Training Cup tie against Alloa and Scottish Cup clash against Kilmarnock also on the horizon,

Ally's side are competing on a number of fronts and for several of pieces of silverware.

When the cup game comes, that is when you start to focus on it and you have to take it in your stride.

But Ally won't let the excitement and anticipation of what to expect at Hampden overshadow what is a really important few weeks for Rangers.

The Celtic game is massive, but it is not the only big game Rangers have coming up.

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