Philippe Clement is focused only on Sunday as he looks for his first win as Rangers boss over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden Park.
The Belgian boss has not managed a victory over the Hoops in five attempts since taking over the Ibrox hot seat in October of last year.
The most recent Old Firm game ended up in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park in September and Brendan Rodgers’ side have gone on to open up an 11-point gap over third place Rangers at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Clement has tinkered with his squad in recent weeks and the Light Blues have recovered their form and following the 1-1 draw against Tottenham at Ibrox on Thursday night, they are nine games unbeaten and on course for a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Clement pointed to the changes in his side since he took over as he assessed the final against Celtic.
He said: “You speak about a lot of games in the last, let’s say year, with a lot of different players that we played.
“The team of last year, there are not so many players any more on the pitch.
“The team of the beginning of the season in September, a lot of new players have come in.
“So I’m not thinking about the past. I’m thinking about the next game, because the past is the past.
“You can speak also about all these (Rangers) teams who won the League Cup and you see it’s 28 times, but it will not change anything, because every time it is with another squad or other managers or whatever.
“So it’s about this game with these players.
“The key on Sunday is to score, to be efficient, to defend really well.
“Celtic is a team who’s really good on the ball, with a lot of quality players.
“We know, they showed that in the league, they showed in Europe.
“So we need to play a very mature game, well organised, but we need to play our football also and create our chances like we have done in last couple of weeks.”
Clement, indeed, stressed that his personal record against Celtic is not at the forefront of his mind.
He said: “So it will happen, but I’m not busy with that.
“For me, to be a successful Rangers manager will be that the club is successful and the squad is successful, so you need to win this game.
“But it’s not about me. It’s not my personal goal or anything.
“I don’t win the game. I’m not on the pitch. I can guide them to what to do on the pitch. That’s my job.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the club. It’s about the players. It’s never been about me in this job.
“About winning trophies. 200 per cent. About winning games. 200 per cent.
“So that’s what I want against every opponent, to do everything to win games and to do that together with the squad.”
