EDUARDO HERRERA hopes compatriot Carlos Pena can shine on the Hampden stage and continue to silence his Light Blue critics this weekend.

The Mexican endured a slow start to life at Ibrox following his move from Chivas Guadalajara as part of Pedro Caixinha’s summer rebuilding job.

But he has started to repay his manager’s faith in him in recent weeks as he attempts to get fully up to speed in Scottish football.

Pena netted his first goal for the Gers in the win over Dundee last month and then helped Caixinha’s side to victory at Firhill in the Betfred Cup.

On Friday, he hit a brace against St Johnstone to give Rangers a crucial Premiership win ahead of the trip to Hampden on semi-final duty.

Pena is set to retain his starting spot for the clash with Motherwell and striker Herrera is pleased to see his countryman on the right track this term.

He told SportTimes: “It shows the hard work that we are putting in to get sharper and to get better form.

“I am really happy for Carlos and happy he got two goals in the last game in the league. That shows that he is settling in and adapting to the style of Scottish football also.

“I hope that, in personal terms, I can score again soon and can show why I am here.

“We are working really hard to contribute to the team and to show why they brought us here. This Sunday is a really big opportunity for us to do well and contribute for the team.”

Caixinha completed a double deal for Herrera and Pena this summer as the striker made the move from Pumas UNAM on a three-year deal.

The former Mexican internationalist has netted twice– against Ross County and Thistle – in nine appearances so far this term.

And he is determined to go from strength to strength for the Light Blues in the coming months and prove his worth at Ibrox.

Herrera said: “I am enjoying it here. The life here in Glasgow is really nice for me and my family and the club is a really great club. It gives you everything you need to perform as a player.

“I am settling into Scottish football. It is a little bit different from Mexico but we are all getting used to it and we are getting into the rhythm to perform well here.

“It is always nice to have someone from your country to talk to sometimes. But we also try to get with the team and get this kind of relationship with the team-mates.

“That has been really nice. Sometimes when you have someone from your country, that can help you and it has helped us both.”

The performances of Herrera and Pena have come under the spotlight in recent weeks after Caixinha shelled out transfer fees to bring the pair to Scotland.

The Portuguese has repeatedly assured supporters that the pair will become key parts of his Gers side this term.

And Herrera is eager to get back on the score sheet on Sunday and become a Hampden hero to the Light Blue legions.

Herrera said: “We are always adapting to it and getting sharper and more into the game.

“We are in a good moment right now to perform and contribute to the team. I want to show the supporters my game.

“I scored the last goal in the quarter-finals of the cup and I am looking forward to scoring again.

“I hope this Sunday will be another opportunity to give a good performance.

“Always the most important thing is that the team gets the objective and that is to get through to the final.”

Rangers head to the National Stadium aiming to record a hat-trick of wins for the first time on Caixinha’s watch after overcoming Hamilton and St Johnstone either side of the international break.

And Herrera knows it could be a defining moment for the Gers as they attempt to set up a final showdown with Celtic or Hibernian next month.

He said: “It is a big game for us and we are looking forward to it. We want to get through to the final and it is an opportunity to win a trophy for Rangers.

“That is one of the reasons why I signed for Rangers. It is a big club that has won a lot of trophies and we want to lift more. I haven’t won any cups like this. I got to a final in Mexico but unfortunately we lost the match on penalties.

“So I really want to lift a trophy here. I came here to win trophies. I know Rangers are all the time competing for titles and that is something we want to do.”

*Eduardo Herrera and Jamie Barjonas took part in an exclusive Q&A session with a group of kids at a recent Rangers Soccer Schools course at the Ibrox Complex.

There are a wide range of Soccer Schools available which include holiday and term-time courses, soccer centres (recreational > elite), birthday parties and group matchday/training centre packages.

For full details log on to rangers.co.uk, email soccerschools@rangers.co.uk, visit the Rangers Ticket Centre or call 0871 702 1972 (*Calls cost 13p per minute + network extras).