The biggest battle facing Rangers at St Mirren as Europa League 'transformation' branded a puzzler

Gus MacPherson insists Rangers ’ biggest battle will be mind games when they arrive in Paisley to face St Mirren.

The former Gers defender and ex-Buddies boss believes the mental switch that has transformed the Ibrox side in Europe could have a negative side as they play catch-up with Celtic in the league.

A 1-0 Europa League quarter-final loss at Braga in midweek has set-up a huge second leg on Thursday.

And the big games keep coming with a Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic at Hampden on Sunday.

But MacPherson is adamant his old club must focus on staying in the moment.

He said: “The transformation in Rangers when they play in Europe is amazing compared to how they’ve been doing in domestic games.

“I don’t know the answer to why that is. Maybe it is a subconscious thing. It’s easy to motivate yourself and get yourself up for the big European games such as against Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade.

“It’s not like that when you play with either Rangers or Celtic – you need to be at it for every game.

“If it’s a subconscious thing then they’re quickly about to realise that the match against St Mirren is a massive game as well – it’s as big as anything they’ve been involved in this season.

“When you are a Rangers player every match matters.

“They will have the St Mirren game then the second leg against Braga on Thursday before the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic. These are all huge challenges which require complete focus.

“It doesn’t matter whether you play St Mirren, Livingston or Ross County, every game matters.

“Rangers can only concentrate on their own side of things and what will be will be. They need to go from game to game, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday then let’s see how the fixtures come