Rangers boss Derek McInnes admits brutal Old Firm truth ahead of huge Celtic clash

The Gers boss has been charged with making Rangers relevant again.

A place in the semi-finals of Premier Sports Cup is up for grabs this lunchtime with McInnes gearing up for his first Glasgow derby in the dug-out.

And if he is to knock Celtic off their perch he knows his side must lay down a marker

McInnes confessed: “We need to be more relevant domestically as a club.

“We haven’t been. We’ve had sporadic cup wins and one league title.

“I understand the nature of the business and we all sign up for it.

“When we come here, we all have the responsibility.

“Players, staff alike, we’re here to deliver silverware and if we don’t, we won’t be here long.

“For me, it’s something we have to try and grasp and work towards and not be daunted by.

“Working for Rangers gives you great opportunities and we see this as a brilliant opportunity on Sunday to take a step closer to silverware.

“I had the same conversation last season at Hearts where Hearts managers don’t really normally survive if they can’t win derbies.

“I think it’s just the same.

“Obviously, this is a bigger fixture and the spotlight is on it, but I think if you can win these games it’s massive.

“You’ve still got two cup ties to win to win a trophy so it doesn’t guarantee anything, but I do think it gives you a bit of credit in the bank if you can win these games.

“If you don’t win them then there’s just a bit more scrutiny on you but that’s something I signed up for.

“I know we need to be the best team in Glasgow to be the best team in Scotland and hopefully we can do that.”

After a torrid start to the new season, Rangers have won their last four matches.

No Celtic fans will be inside Ibrox on Sunday and McInnes believes the Gers support will have a huge part to play.

McInnes added: “For the fans to stay and watch the game and say we’ve still got a chance, we need to keep going no matter how difficult it is.

“Whether we’re down to ten men, whether we look as if we’re second best, whether we look as if we’re not really going to get the win.

“We have to have that message in the dressing room that we keep going and make one point into three or no points into one and get something for the game.

“I was pleased in that sense that the players dug it out and found something within themselves to get the win.

“That should be fundamental and I do think it illustrates a lot, whether it’s squad depth, whether it’s fitness, whether it’s strength of mind.

“All these things are important and if you can get a few of them in a season, sometimes those late winners, the last five-minute winners can be the difference of being successful or not.

“There could be a difference between ten and 15 points which obviously is going to help us.”