Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha won't change tactics but he will demand a shift in mentality against Celtic

Pedro Caixinha hasn’t gone back to the drawing board to overhaul his Old Firm blueprint this week. Instead, he has got into the hearts and minds of his Rangers players.

The Portuguese has no doubts what is required if the Hampden heartache is going to become an Ibrox roar. If his players show the same passion as him, it could be sixth time lucky for Rangers on derby day.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: 'Wounded' Rangers will show more fight in second Celtic battle

Caixinha admitted this week that he was ‘ashamed’ by the timid performance that Rangers put in on Sunday and he has issued a rallying cry to a squad that has continually failed throughout a dismal campaign.

Just weeks into his reign, it is only natural that there are doubters about the 46-year-old. If he is to prove a point, then three must be collected at Ibrox.

Caixinha said: “I don't care about this (the criticism). I don't read the papers.

“And I don't care about external critics. I don't care about that.

“I care about what I have inside and what I believe in. That is what I care about.

“Because if we had won the game, even if we had played like we had played for example in the first half, you would say brilliant, what a fantastic second half. I analyse it my way.

“No change of style, no change of tactic. Just change the passion.

“You are not going to win and Old Firm game by tactics. Did Celtic change their tactics? No.

“They played exactly the same, they played with their identity. Did we change our identity in the previous five matches? Did we? No?”

The fallout from Sunday has seen Caixinha’s team selection and tactical approach queried and the mentality and ability of his players brought into question once again.

The Ibrox boss has called for his side to show more passion this weekend as Rangers look to avoid going through the campaign without tasting Old Firm victory.

Caixinha was animated and at times agitated at his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. He is up for the fight, now his players have to win their individual battles.

“You are seeing someone that is clear, is frontal, is open – but everyone has his own limit,” Caixinha said.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: 'Wounded' Rangers will show more fight in second Celtic battle

“When I feel I am not being respected, I’m not going to respect. I’m polite, I’m educated but I’m a f****** tough guy.

“Because of those stories, because of other stories, because of the repetition of all the things I’m saying here on a weekly basis – and they are all the same.

“We didn’t discuss anything about the match. We didn’t discuss anything about what’s going on in the next match, which is the reason we are here.

“If we discuss football I’m totally glad and happy to be here until 8 o’clock in the evening. But if we discuss this point, this is what you are going to get from me.”

Victory for Rangers tomorrow would be one of the few highlights from a campaign to forget as the Ibrox squad have underperformed and underachieved.

It may only be three points and personal pride that are at stake but the final Old Firm fixture this term is far from meaningless for both sides of the city.

If Rangers do emerge triumphant, it will be a moment to celebrate for Caixinha. It won’t alter his view of the task in hand in the Premiership, though.

He said: “For me it is always important - and the process can lead you to winning matches - and that is what I am focused on. I know if they go in with that passion we will be closer to them.

“That is what I am focusing on. I don't care about the day after tomorrow. I am focusing on the present.

“It is not only from one match that I am going to perceive that gap. The gap is quite clear. It is evident.

“We are quite realistic about that. But we are working to trim it. From inside, we are working.

“You know where this club was five years ago? Do you know any other team in the world that came from the mud and got in this position in five years’ time. So that needs to be valid.

“And all of you need to understand that Scottish football, and all of you in your life, need a strong Rangers. That is what we are working for.”

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: 'Wounded' Rangers will show more fight in second Celtic battle

Caixinha may have left Hampden with only feelings of despair and a sense of what might have been but the occasion still made its mark on the former Al-Gharafa boss.

The semi-final showdown was his first taste of the Old Firm fixture. Now he wants to savour the day with a different range of emotions.

Caixinha said: “Fantastic, fantastic. When we are on the sidelines we don’t focus on the surroundings but it’s a fantastic environment.

“At the beginning I just look around the stadium and I found it amazing. Maybe it feels a little bit different [to win], for sure. I hope to have that feeling at Ibrox on Saturday.”