Neil Banfield adamant Rangers ARE going places as Michael Beale lieutenant loves the sound of Ibrox cheers

Neil Banfield insists Rangers have already shown they have big performances in them with their displays against Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven as Michael Beale’s assistant expects to hear the sound of cheers rather than jeers at Ibrox on Wednesday.

The Light Blues go into their Viaplay Cup quarter final tie against Livingston on the back of a hat-trick of wins and clean sheets since their defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm derby before the international break. But Sunday’s drab 1-0 win over Motherwell was met with boos at full-time - and a hard-hitting assessment from Beale.

Banfield wasn’t as critical as he insists the current squad are their own harshest critics, and he pointed to a couple of displays in Europe as the potential for this side as supporters desperately wait for it to click into gear. The former Arsenal assistant bristled when asked if this team is ready to produce a “big performance”, saying: “Do you not think Real Betis was a big performance? We played PSV, was that not a big performance? 2-2? We have got them in there but it’s about sustaining that all the time. It’s difficult but we have shown at times we are going places, we are moving forward, without a doubt.

“Confidence comes from winning the game and defending well. There’s lots of parts of the game we’re pleased with the - the mentality. It’s a mental tiredness sometimes when you have to prepare. You get the game on a Saturday and you don’t have time to dwell on it so we prepare, analyse what’s gone on and spend a bit of time and then you prepare for the next game. You get into these cycles, it’s tough mentally but the lads are really focused.

“Looking at the (Motherwell) game there are certain aspects you think we could take our opportunities