PEDRO CAIXINHA has blasted his Rangers stars for ‘embarrassing’ him, the club and the supporters during their Betfred Cup semi-final defeat on Sunday.

The Light Blues went down 2-0 to Motherwell at Hampden as Louis Moult condemned them to another costly big-game loss.

It was the latest in a long line of failures on the big stage from Caixinha’s side and, when asked if his players were tough enough to cope with wearing the Gers shirt, he said: "It doesn't look like that.

"I've already told the players and that's why I'm telling you. I cannot count on Jak (Alnwick) for Wednesday because he felt a contusion on his arm.

"You have seen Fabio (Cardoso’s) face, so I cannot count on him.

"But I've told the players, 'You are embarrassing me, you're embarrassing our club, you're embarrassing our fans. Now it's time for you to react, and I'm glad we're playing on Wednesday'.

"If I could pick the same XI, those guys who didn't do the work who really needed to do it (on Sunday) would start on Wednesday."

The defeat to the Steelmen was another significant blow for Caixinha as he once again missed out on recording a third successive win as boss.

And the Portuguese has demanded a reaction from his players as attentions turn to the visit of Kilmarnock tomorrow night.

He said: "I expect to be paid the other way around now. These players play for this club, for this badge. These players play for me.

"Are they behind me? That's what they need to show.

"If they are in a semi-final (with the chance) to make history for this club and they play like that, then something is wrong.

"Now they need to prove (themselves). [Sunday] is part of the past, it's been identified, it's been discussed.

“Let's move forward. Wednesday is the next stage for them to prove it."

Caixinha was given significant financial backing by the Ibrox board as he overhauled his Light Blues squad during the summer.

And he was angry that the side he selected – which included eight of his recruits – failed to fire when it mattered most this term.

Caixinha said: "I know the players I have. I chose them.

“I assume all the responsibilities, but I want them to do their very best because I know they have it, otherwise I wouldn't pick them up.

"I know they're feeling guilty that they should have done much more.

"I'm a guy who doesn't like to lose. I go home but I don't get much sleep.

“But I have a clear mind all the time and I want them to have that clear mind. So that's why I'm giving them a second chance."