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Rangers desperate to bury Euro nightmare

Rangers defender Sasa Papac has targeted a winning run in the Scottish Premier League as they aim to put their European humiliation behind them.

The Bosnian played in the 4-1 humiliation handed out by Romanian minnows Unirea Urzceni at Ibrox to leave the Gers’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Rangers return to domestic duty this weekend as they take on Hibernian, hoping to hold on to top spot in the league and heap pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic who don’t play Hamilton until Sunday.

The Easter Road outfit have been rejuvenated under new boss John Hughes and currently sit in third place, just two points behind the leaders.

Hibs have had an excellent start to the league campaign with Hughes adding quality additions to the squad in the shape of Anthony Stokes and Liam Miller.

A win for the Edinburgh side would see them take top spot in the table from their hosts.

Walter Smith’s problems have mounted after their midweek European disaster with the news midfielder Pedro Mendes and defensive lynchpin Madjid Bougherra could be missing for several weeks with knee injuries.

Portuguese playmaker Mendes was taken off at half-time against Unirea after giving Rangers the lead in the match. His is the more serious of the injuries with fears he could be ruled out for two months.

Medical staff are more optimistic about Algerian defender Bougherra’s injury but he will definitely miss Saturday’s match.

It is the last thing the supporters want to hear as they try to get over such a disastrous result but Papac says going on a winning run in the league could ease their pain.

“If you are playing for Rangers, every game is important and you must try to take three points every time you step out on the park,” said Papac.

“That will be the case against Hibs this weekend, especially because we will be playing them at Ibrox. I hope we can beat them because going on a winning run could end up being so important to us in the end.

“In Scotland, you need to have over 80 points to win the SPL title and we are still some way from that. It is vital we come out on top as often as possible and especially this weekend. Hibs are a good team and they’re doing very well just now.”

On Sunday, Celtic are away to Hamilton looking to bounce back from their disappointing goalless draw against Motherwell at Parkhead.

Striker Marc-Antoine Fortune has resumed light training but the game against Hamilton has come too early for him.

Defender Glenn Loovens is back after suspension and Andreas Hinkel has recovered from injury. Landry N’Guemo is also in contention after being dropped for the Motherwell match but full-back Daniel Fox is out.

In Saturday’s other fixtures Hearts take on bottom-placed club Falkirk, St Mirren host Motherwell and Aberdeen welcome Dundee United to Pittodrie.

Mark McGhee’s side know a win could see them leapfrog United into the European spots and include new signing Maurice Ross in their squad.

Former Celtic striker Mark Burchill could make his debut for Kilmarnock in their game against St Johnstone.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Dundee United, Hearts v Falkirk, Kilmarnock v St Johnstone, Rangers v Hibernian, St Mirren v Motherwell

Sunday

Hamilton v Celtic (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Anthony Stokes, bosnian, champions league, daniel fox, Dundee, Easter Road, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Hamilton, hanging by a thread, heap, humiliation, john hughes, knee injuries, league campaign, liam miller, lynchpin, marc antoine fortune, mark mcghee, Maurice, medical staff, motherwell, new boss, pedro mendes, playmaker, premier league, quality additions, sasa papac, Scottish Premier League, spl, walter smith

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