Don’t let Gers off the hook!

Apr 8 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson will tell his players to make sure they don’t let Rangers off the hook if they get the upper hand during tonight’s big game at St Mirren Park.

On six occasions this season, MacPherson’s side have taken the lead against their opponents without going on to win the game.

And he wants to make sure the Buddies do not snatch yet another defeat from the jaws of victory if they get their noses in front of Rangers tonight.

MacPherson said: “Six times this season we have taken the lead but have not gone on to win those games and that should not have happened.

“At worst, we should have been getting draws from those games, especially when we have played away from home.

“It’s been frustrating because we have played reasonably well.”

MacPherson knows his side are underdogs going into tonight’s SPL showdown but is confident the Buddies have got what it takes to bite back against the Old Firm giants.

He said: “It will come down to individual battles all over the park and we’ll need courage and we’ll have to make sure that we’re in there competing and making things happen. When a chance comes along, we’ll have to take it.”

MacPherson reckons the Light Blues will not be weakened by the absence of shamed duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor tonight.

The ‘Boozegate’ pair have been suspended by their club and will take no part in this evening’s clash.

But MacPherson expects the visitors to be untroubled by the controversy.

He said: “Rangers have already played a game since this hullabaloo and they won that, so that means they’re focused.

“They know it will be a hard game at St Mirren Park and we have to make sure we play in the same manner as we did when we beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup. We’ll be positive.”

Meanwhile, MacPherson has dismissed reports that young French midfielder Malik Hioume is on trial with the St Mirren first team.