Derek McInnes dismissed the concept Rangers might put strain on Celtic and Hearts with a win in opposition to Dundee on Saturday night.
A victory at Dens Park would take Rangers above Celtic to the Scottish Premiership summit, with their Glasgow rivals not in motion till Sunday after they tackle third-place Hearts in a rematch of final season’s title decider.
McInnes’ facet have received their previous seven matches in all competitions, in distinction to Celtic, who’ve stumbled of late, shedding 4 of their previous 5, however the Rangers boss says it’s too early to look past their very own fixtures.
“The factor for me with that’s you have nonetheless simply obtained to win your recreation,” McInnes mentioned, when requested if Rangers might acquire a psychological benefit over Celtic and Hearts with a victory.
“Everytime you’re requested to play, whether or not it is a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, you have simply obtained to win your recreation. It is a bit early within the season to [put pressure on title rivals].”
Celtic and Hearts have been each in European motion on Thursday as Celtic have been swept apart 4-1 by Benfica within the Europa League and Hearts drew 1-1 with Nordsjaelland within the Convention League.
Rangers missed out on Europe this season with a vastly disappointing Convention League play-off defeat by Czech Republic facet Jablonec in August.
“After all we’d moderately be in Europe and there was a wee little bit of envy watching final evening, however the one profit from that’s if we might be profitable domestically,” McInnes mentioned.
“It does give us longer to organize for video games but it surely does not assure something.
“The very fact we’re enjoying first this time round, I will not even point out placing strain on an opposition. I am extra targeted on the struggle being with us to enhance and simply concentrating on getting one other three factors.
“Small steps, win your recreation and do not be too obsessive about what’s occurring elsewhere.”
