St Mirren take on Rangers today and manager Danny Lennon wants his players to produce the slick football that has won them plaudits so far this season. rangers don't give much away in terms of points and Lennon believes a good performance at Ibrox is crucial as they look to continue making progress. Their last game before the international break was bereft of the passing football that has been evident this season which resulted in a 2-1 defeat to bottom club Inverness. The Buddies go into their final game of the opening round of fixtures in sixth place and Lennon has demanded a return to their new style on Saturday.
He said: "It's very important for us, regardless of where we are going, to play our brand. It's been a long one coming for us after the disappointment of Inverness. But what an opportunity and what an arena for us on Saturday. The big, big thing that I'm looking for overall, we must have a performance and we must do it our way. We're delighted where we are, with the progression we have made and delighted to be in the quarter-final of the Scottish Communities League Cup. But there's still a long, long way to go. We are still fuelled by that ambition to do better. I feel I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't get more out of these players on a daily and weekly basis. And the players, if they have got any ambition within themselves, they have got to continue that drive individually as well as collectively."
Looking to the opposition, Lennon has been hugely impressed with the start Ally McCoist has made to his career in the Ibrox hot seat. He said: "The transition period of Ally going in there was a difficult one in three aspects. He went in when there was a takeover and new money men and players and staff have come and gone. He has had to take on the responsibility of achieving the expectations of what Walter (Smith) achieved, probably Rangers' greatest ever manager. And thirdly, his own transition period from being a coach and assistant manager to having to make these big decisions at a massive, massive football club. He has done that terrifically well. They are sitting at the top of tree, although they are by no means invincible. We saw that when they went out the Champions League to Malmo and the Europa League to Maribor and, more relevant to us, the Falkirk one in the League Cup, and that's one we still have an opportunity to progress in."