Rangers manager Derek McInnes has praised the impact of goalkeeper Ivor Pandur since his summer arrival and challenged the 26-year-old to become Croatia's number one stopper.
Pandur joined the Ibrox club from Hull City for £6 million, replacing Jack Butland, who moved in the opposite direction to The Tigers for £3 million. McInnes has been delighted with the Croat's early form, which has helped Rangers reach the Premier Sports Cup Final as part of an 11-game unbeaten run.
Calmness spreads through the squad
McInnes says Pandur's calmness and authority have spread throughout the team. He praised the goalkeeper's dedication to his craft and believes his confidence is felt across the pitch.
Ahead of Saturday's Premiership clash with St Mirren in Paisley, the manager said: "I think he's done so well. The fact I don't really get asked about Pandur is because he's just so quietly effective."
"The players hold him in such high regard and take confidence from him. There's nothing worse - and I've been there as a player - when you're not sure about your goalie. It affects a lot of what's happening on the pitch. But when you know you've got a good one there, it sends out the exact opposite."
International ambitions
Pandur is a regular in Slaven Bilic's Croatia squad but must compete with 31-year-old Barcelona keeper Dominik Livakovic for a starting spot. Dynamo Zagreb's Dominik Kotarski will also battle Pandur for game-time in their upcoming Nations League games against England and the Czech Republic.
McInnes believes the Ibrox star is capable of making the jersey his own. He said: "The confidence that Ivor sends throughout the team is clear, whether that's dealing with things at his feet or in the air. His shot-stopping is unbelievable. I watch him in training and every shot has the same importance."
"He just wants to keep the ball out of his net and, for me, they're the best types. He doesn't try harder for one shot than he does the next. Everything is about: 'You're not beating me'. And he plays the game that way. He's been brilliant."
"I think he's going to have a really good career and progression will be hopefully getting involved with Croatia a bit more. Hopefully in this international break he might just get himself a chance."
Focus on St Mirren
McInnes hopes to take the feel-good factor from last week's League Cup semi-final over Aberdeen into the St Mirren game. He has urged his players to keep their feet on the ground and wants them to put opposition teams to bed when they're on top, rather than relying on late goals like Ryan Naderi's winner at Hampden.
McInnes said: "We've got to take the good from last week's game. It's not easy getting to a cup final so we've got to be pleased with that. Everybody is excited and that's where we should be."
"It should be the norm for us, turning up at cup finals and putting ourselves in a position (to win them). We'll look forward to it when it comes around but now it's important we really focus on the St Mirren game before the break."
"That excitement and optimism can easily dissipate off the back of the next result. That's how fickle it is so you've got to stay on the job. I'd like us, when we're in charge of games, to show more control. Sometimes when you play two strikers you give up some of that. But I think we need those threats at Rangers."
"There are different ways of exerting control. But in an ideal world, we want to stay on top of teams and take games away from them. If we'd taken our chances before we scored last Saturday we'd have taken the game away from Aberdeen. So if we want to try and be in charge and create more situations like that, we need to make hay when we're on top of teams. Otherwise, games can be tougher than you want them to be."
