Gary McAllister has called for a final flourish from recharged Rangers as he urged his players to end a 12-year wait for Scottish Cup glory to cap an invincible league campaign.
But they could be without influential midfielder Ryan Jack for the run-in after he was sent to a London specialist in a bid to get to the bottom of his calf problem.
With the Scottish Premiership in the bag, the Light Blues kick off their quest for the final piece of domestic silverware when they take on League One Cove Rangers at Ibrox in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup third round clash.
Jack, who hasn’t featured since the 4-1 win over Dundee United in February and was forced to pull out of last week’s Scotland squad, will again be missing.
But skipper James Tavernier has returned to training following his knee injury along with long term absentee Niko Katic in a double boost for boss Steven Gerrard.
Rangers romped to the title and remained unbeaten following their derby draw at Parkhead last time out before the international break gave them some much-needed rest.
But as they start the road to Hampden, McAllister said: “We can’t sit back and relax. We can try and get through the league programme without losing, and why can’t we go and make a big push to get to Hampden?
“It is the job of the gaffer and all the coaching staff to emphasise that we want to push and go and finish the season well and with a bit of style.
“There is a little mini season with the league games, there are nice targets and there are things for inspiration in terms of trying to go through those five fixtures well.
“But also to get a good run in the cup and to get to Hampden. We want to finish pushing rather than relaxing. We see winning the league as the start to something so we have got to try and build on that.”
McAllister revealed 29-year-old Jack travelled south after pulling out of Steve Clarke’s squad for the World Cup 2022 qualifying triple header.
And with Euro 2020 on the horizon, McAllister said: “Ryan has been in London the last couple of days to see some specialists so we are waiting for the results coming back up from London on that visit.
“It is just further investigations to try and get to the bottom of Ryan’s problem. We will wait for the results of that.”
But Jack has expressed frustration at the situation, posting on Instagram: “Absolutely gutted to still be out injured. It’s been a frustrating few months, can’t wait to pull on this jersey again.”
On Tavernier, crocked in the Europa League win over Royal Antwerp in Belgium, McAllister said: “The positive on Tav is that he is back on the grass and that was nice to see yesterday.
“He is out there training on his own with the physios and stuff. That is a bit positive and he is getting closer and closer. Niko Katic is back on the grass, which is good to see. We are waiting on the international guys coming back.”
ENDS
