Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke believes his players are looking forward to facing Rangers in the Scottish Cup on Wednesday night – but insists he will put “pressure” on his squad to book their place in the next round.
After the agonising last-minute defeat by Celtic on Sunday, Killie will feel they have a point to prove and seal a quarter-final clash with Aberdeen.
Clarke is confident Killie will pose Rangers problems at Ibrox and give Steven Gerrard’s team a “tough game.”
“I will put enough pressure on my players. I want to be in the next round of the cup and my players want to be in the next round of the cup,” Clarke told Killie’s official website.
“The pressure we put ourselves under will be big enough.
“I know my players are really looking forward to it.
“I think they know that by and large we will give them a tough game and try and pose them as many problems as we can.”
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the first game at Rugby Park – with both subsequently dropping points at the weekend.
Kilmarnock have shown how much of a threat they can be to Rangers and have a good chance to book their place in the last eight.
If Clarke’s men can frustrate the returning Alfredo Morelos then it could be a good night for the Ayrshire side.