The Walter Smith reminder Rangers must heed as only Scottish Cup win can prevent total catastrophe - Keith Jackson

Sometimes the will to win alone is not nearly enough. If it was, then everyone would be doing it.

No, at critical moments, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, it requires an almost pathological fear of losing to elevate the greats and separate them from the rest.

It may seem irrational, perhaps even bordering on masochistic.

But, be in no doubt, it’s what makes the special ones tick.

And it was without question what drove Walter Smith on during his ascent towards legendary status as the most successful manager in Rangers ’ modern day history.

He didn’t mind admitting it either. As a matter of fact, Smith talked about it openly and frequently while unwittingly offering a fascinating insight into the mind of a serial winner.

And this win-at-all-costs mentality has seldom seemed more relevant to Smith’s old club than it does now, as Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players attempt to pick themselves up off the floor and add a silver lining to a campaign of wildly fluctuating emotions.

This afternoon at Hampden is no longer about visualising the joy which would come from celebrating a first Scottish Cup success in 13 years.

For them, it’s now only a matter of avoiding the anguish and pain which would result from being burdened by another major loss.

Winning cup finals is not for everyone after all. And the reality is Rangers haven’t managed it since Smith was at the helm, barring a Petrofac win over Peterhead in the dying throes of the banter years. The one cup final they had no wish to take part in.

Mark Warbuton went on to lose a Scottish Cup Final to Hibs that same season. Three years later Steven Gerrard lost to Celtic in the League Cup Final.

And on Wednesday night in Seville it was Van Bronckhorst’s turn to