IAN DURRANT has called for Rangers to stand up and be counted at Hampden as they attempt to avenge their Old Firm horror show.

The Light Blues crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Parkhead last month as their Premiership title bid suffered another blow.

Wins over Partick Thistle and Inverness have restored some confidence in the Ibrox ranks in recent weeks but Mark Warburton’s side are still seven points off the pace in the top flight.

A place in the Betfred Cup final is at stake this weekend and Gers legend Durrant knows Warburton and his players have to rise to the occasion at Hampden.

He said: “I only know the ones that came in last year. Guys like Jason Holt, Andy Halliday and Harry Forrester. They are characters and they believe in their own ability.

“Martyn Waghorn is never short of goals. Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have been over it and they know what the script is. Danny Wallace has been there before.

“So they do have characters, but it is about the team.

“It’s a team effort and in an Old Firm a lot of the times they are not the prettiest of games. A lot of it depends on luck and if you get that first goal you’ve got a chance.

“Rangers will have great backing at Hampden and this is the time to stand up and be a Rangers player.

“Of course [the experience of the semi-final] can [help]. But in hindsight, Celtic might have used that to their advantage the last time. They came out the blocks straight away.

“I thought Rangers had been doing well until they lost the first goal and then the wee frailties showed up.

“Obviously, going down to 10 men rubbed salt into the wound. At 3-1, you are trying to push on but they were cut open at the back and although Celtic were the better team on the day, I’d say 5-1 against 10 men flattered them a little bit.”