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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Jonathan McFarlane

The Rangers question everyone is asking as Brian Rice concedes 'how do you stop them?

Brian Rice has vowed to attack Rangers on Sunday but admits his Hamilton side face a "mammoth" task.

The Accies gaffer watched his side torn asunder in an 8-0 defeat at Ibrox earlier in the season on a chastening afternoon for the club.

And as Steven Gerrard 's men romp to their first title in a decade, Rice admits the question Scotland's coaching fraternity is currently chewing over is just how to stop their relentless league juggernaught.

He said: "It's a mammoth task to face Rangers. The question everyone is asking themselves is 'How do you stop them?'

"When you're in the form Rangers are in - both domestically and in Europe - it's very difficult.

"You can sit back against Rangers and they will score early on and your gameplan is out the window. If you go attack them, they can also score against you.

"So it comes down to our mindset on the day. Do we believe we can get a result? Do we believe we can force a few mistakes? Do we believe we can stop them scoring?

"It's my job to make sure the lads do believe that and that's certainly what I'll be trying to do.

Brian Rice was pleased to find out the hearing outcome on Friday rather than the day of a game again (SNS Group)

"It's not a case of just going out to defend against Rangers. With the situation we're in we've got try to find a way to win football matches and that starts this Sunday.

"I don't think there will be any jitters or title nerves in their ranks, not when you're as far clear as Rangers are.

"They will be enjoying themselves. The games won't come quick enough for them.

"Realistically, Rangers need to be below par and we've got to be at the very top of our game. That has never changed through the years when you play the Old Firm.

"But I'll tell the players we have to look forward to it. We can't have any fear. We must embrace the challenge. Let's have a go."

The Accies are four points adrift at the bottom after defeat to fellow strugglers Ross County on Wednesday.

And while the situation is a cause for concern, Rice is sure hope can be found in the club's ability to survive the top flight relegation battle in recent years.

"Our record over the years doesn't give me a wee bit of hope - it gives me massive hope," he said.

"People always say that going into the last five or six games, Hamilton will pull it out the bag - but we don't want to leave it that late.

"We want it to start on Sunday. Let's start picking up points now.

"Those survival instincts are the DNA of the club. Fight and scrap for everything and make sure you have no regrets."

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