Lure of SPFL Premiership place will ensure Rangers stars raise their games for play-offs

Stuart McCall's side had played in a lot of pretty high-intensity matches in the last few weeks at the end of a long campaign. I thought it might take its toll.

Sure enough, on Sunday against Queen of the South, one or two of them went down with cramp towards the end of the 90 minutes.

And on Wednesday night in the closing stages of the first leg of the SPFL Premiership play-off semi-final with Hibs a few looked dead on their feet.

Stuart made three substitutions in the second half of the 2-0 victory and admitted he could have made several more.

The interim manager has confessed his charges are feeling tired heading into their third high-pressure match in six days at the end of an exhausting season.

Hibs, meanwhile, had an 18-day break before the first leg of the semi-final and went away to Spain for a warm-weather training camp in La Manga.

However, I don't think anyone in the squad at Rangers will be affected by fatigue come noon today at Easter Road. Adrenaline will drive the players on.

They won't dwell on how they maybe feeling physically because the rewards for winning are so great.

Rangers can secure a place alongside Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United in the Premiership by performing well and winning three games of football.

That is what will be at the forefront of their minds as they take to the field in Edinburgh, not how tired their limbs are. There is no doubt in my mind they can prevail.

I would like to see Stuart revert to the system he used against Queens at Palmerston Park in the first leg of the play-off quarter-final earlier this month.

Playing three centre-backs and having two wing-backs pushing upfield when play allowed worked brilliantly in Dumfries and on their last trip to Leith.

Going with that formation will deny Hibs space. They enjoyed playing in the wide open spaces at Ibrox on Wednesday night. They moved the ball about cleverly.

It won't surprise me if Stuart goes with a 5-3-2 formation - or, if you prefer, a 3-5-2 set-up - once again in order to stop Alan Stubbs' side playing.

Rangers just need a draw. There is no point in them going out all gung-ho and leaving themselves open at the back. If they do that and concede a goal proceedings will become very tense.

I think Stuart will be cautious, but, at the same time, will have half an eye on sneaking another goal. Scoring again would put them three in front and would kill off the tie.

I think the games against Queens and Hibs proved this Rangers side, which has, let's face it, underachieved this season, won't bottle it.

If they get through the second leg against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday and then negotiate the double header with Motherwell then everything that has gone on this term goes out the window.

Getting promoted back into the top flight is what they set out to achieve three years ago.

Rangers have given themselves a chance as a result of their sheer hard work. They are favourites to win the tie against Hibs and go through.

Yes, they have been thrashed by Alan Stubbs's men at home and away this season. But that was a different team to the one that is involved now.

The last time Rangers travelled through to Easter Road in March, shortly after Stuart had taken over, they won 2-0.

Kenny Miller played the full match at the weekend and worked his socks off. He ran his heart out in midweek during his time on the park.

The players, then, are giving their all. The fans haven't always been happy about their application in the last couple of years. But they haven't been able to accuse them of that since Stuart took charge.

I thought it was a good game to watch on Wednesday night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew Hibs would, with the talented footballers they have in their ranks, come and have a go at us.

They certainly didn't sit back. They played with two up front and passed the ball about well. They were the better side in the first 10 to 15 minutes.

But Cammy Bell didn't have a save of note to make all game. Hibs had a lot of the ball. Their movement was impressive. They have great pace. But they flattered to deceive.

None of their attempts went close. Rangers defended well for the majority of the game. That will be one of the most pleasing aspects of his side's display for Stuart.

Any Rangers player or fan would have bitten your hand off if you had offered them 2-0 before kick-off. It was a fantastic showing and result.

Here's hoping we see more of the same tomorrow.

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