Derek McInnes has challenged his Rangers players to turn Ibrox back into a fortress this season, as he prepares for his first home Premiership match in charge against Hibs on Sunday.
The new manager wants visiting teams to find matches in Govan a stressful experience, believing that in recent seasons opponents have become too comfortable travelling there.
Home form a priority
After an opening-day draw with Dundee United at Tannadice, Rangers need a victory over Hibs to kick-start their campaign. McInnes insists that with the backing of the home support, the team can make Ibrox intimidating once more.
Last season, Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell all won at Ibrox in the league, while Celtic, Dundee United and Falkirk also picked up points there.
Message to opponents
Ahead of the Hibs fixture, McInnes said: “We’re still working towards our best performances but on Sunday we’ll have 50,000 fans behind us.
“We’ve got all the ingredients there to try and get up and running - and get our first three points in the league.
“It’s such an important fixture for us to go and win, hopefully in a manner we want to see. There should be a hint of what we want to be, going forward.
“Regardless of whether we get any new additions in for it, we know we’ve got players here who can win that game and it’s important we do that.
“Last season (when he was Hearts boss), with both sides of the Old Firm, a lot of teams felt they could get a bit closer to them (at Ibrox and Parkhead) if you brought a big performance.
“We have to try and put more stress on opponents - home and away - but especially when they come to Ibrox now.
“We want them not to cope and be looking around at each other saying: ‘Here they come again’. That’s the mentality.
“That’s hopefully what we’re working towards. I know the Rangers team that I want and what it looks like and I’m sure we’ll get there.”
