Derek McInnes has urged the Rangers support to have the players' backs when Celtic arrive at Ibrox on Sunday as he prepares for his first Old Firm fixture as manager.
The Rangers boss knows the atmosphere will be crucial in a Premier Sports Cup quarter final which comes just days after his side secured a fourth consecutive victory with Bojan Miovski's dramatic late winner against St Mirren.
Graeme Souness' Rangers warning as Celtic clash gives Derek McInnes chance to 'put it right'
McInnes has already spoken about the importance of getting the Ibrox crowd behind his team, but he knows there could be difficult spells against a Celtic side Rangers will not dominate for 90 minutes.
And with Celtic supporters absent from Ibrox following the decision to have no away fans at Old Firm matches for the remainder of the season, the Rangers support will provide the overwhelming majority of the atmosphere inside the stadium.
McInnes believes that can become a major advantage if his players give the supporters something to get behind.
'We've got to bring the crowd with us'
The Rangers boss was asked about the unique challenge of managing an Old Firm fixture for the first time and immediately highlighted the importance of the Ibrox support.
"I think we've got to bring the crowd with us. You're not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We'll have spells, they'll have spells, it's just the way it is,” he said.
"I think it's important that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us and be behind the players, support them, have their backs, not be on their backs and really make it as tough for Celtic as possible.
That could prove particularly significant given the pressure which has surrounded Rangers during the early weeks of McInnes' reign.
The manager believes the responsibility is shared between the team and the supporters, with Rangers needing to give the crowd something to believe in.
'It's up to us to earn the trust'
McInnes accepts that Rangers supporters have experienced plenty of frustration and does not expect blind faith.
Instead, he wants his players to earn the backing by showing the qualities required in an Old Firm fixture.
"It's an easy thing for me to say and ask for that but of course it's vitally important that they do have the trust and the belief in the team and we've got to earn the trust and the belief,” he explained.
"The fact that we get a late winner last night, we keep going and show that perseverance, but I think having 50,000 fans, having the players' backs at all times and being behind them and having that trust and belief in them can only be a good thing for the players.
"Like I said, there's been a lot of frustration over a period of time at the club and it's up to us to try and show that we're going to deliver something a bit different."
McInnes wants Rangers to 'strike that first blow'
One of the key objectives will be to give the Ibrox support something to respond to.
Rangers have created opportunities in recent matches but have sometimes failed to turn their dominance into a more comfortable scoreline.
McInnes believes that against Celtic, converting those chances could have an impact beyond simply putting Rangers ahead.
"If they can stick with us and I think it's important that we try and strike that first blow and try and bring that crowd with us because, like I say, the strength of our club, a big performance on the pitch and a big performance off the pitch certainly helps matters for us,” he said.
"I feel there can't be any hesitation, any doubt for my players. They've got to go and set about the task and believe that the performance and the results there will be hard.
"Obviously, discipline is important and make sure you're competitive and aggressive and show your intent but play within the laws and make sure we don't get caught up in the fixture as well.”
'A fantastic atmosphere'
Despite the pressure surrounding the fixture, McInnes is relishing the opportunity and he admitted that managing an Old Firm game is something he has always wanted to experience.
"From my point of view, it's a fixture I'm really looking forward to managing and I've always wanted to do this job and I've always wanted to be involved in this fixture,” he revealed.
"What it presents is a tough cup tie, but equally the fact that we've got it at Ibrox at home, we're 90 minutes away from Hampden.
"You've got to beat the good teams to win a trophy ordinarily and we've got a tough game, a tough fixture, there's no two ways about it, but equally we've got to make it tough for Celtic as well.
"I do think for any young player these are the types of games you want to play in and test yourself and Sunday will be a fantastic atmosphere."
McInnes knows his players will have to produce their part of the equation.
But he also knows that, with 50,000 Rangers supporters inside Ibrox, the crowd can become a weapon.
"Hopefully, we can bring the crowd with us and make it a really good afternoon for our club and the players play a big part in that."
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