Barry Ferguson says Rangers need to pose a test to Celtic this weekend by winning away at Hearts - and remain concentrated despite the international break.
The former midfielder insists that after a shock loss for Ange Postecoglou's side away at St Mirren, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men should have renewed optimism despite a tough September bringing defeats to Celtic, Ajax and Napoli before an edgy 2-1 Premiership win against Dundee United. Rangers kick-off against at Hearts at 12:30 before Motherwell travel to Celtic at 3:00pm, trailing the champions by two points.
Writing in his Daily Record column, former Ibrox star Ferguson said that Scotland's positive international break can't be an excuse for the Light Blues to think the spotlight isn't on them: "Now that the gap is down to just two points, this is the time to put them under some intense pressure and really test their mettle. It starts at the best possible place. Tynecastle was always my favourite away ground because, when you got off the team bus, you knew you were going into a real battle if you wanted to go home with a win.
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"And nothing concentrates the mind like that. There’s no time to play your way back into form or gradually get back up to full speed.
"It’s going to be hell for leather from the moment they step out onto the pitch and they have to be ready to fight, kick and scratch their way to three points.
"They might think the pressure is off because the Scotland boys have been in the spotlight for a fortnight, but that would be a mistake they can’t afford to make."
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