Sasa Papac: We'll Not Suffer Same Shame

Apr 20 2008 By Gordon Waddell

SHAME-FACED Sasa Papac felt the pain as St Johnstone thumped another nail into Paul Le Guen's Rangers coffin last season.

But he insists lightning can't strike twice - because Gers are a totally different club now.

Saints sent the Ibrox side crashing from the CIS Cup 17 months ago, rubbing salt into the gaping wounds already showing in the Frenchman's regime.

They had dropped 20 SPL points before that November nightmare - two more than they've coughed up this whole season.

And Papac believes that says it all about why Rangers will be in no mood for another upset at Hampden in the Scottish Cup today.

The Bosnian full-back said: "What do I know about St Johnstone? I lost to them last season - so I know enough!

"We need to be careful and play every game, even against them, like we're facing Celtic. But the club wasn't happy then, we weren't good under Paul.

"We had problems - before that game, during and after it.

"This is not the same Rangers team. The spirit is much improved, so is the strength of the team and we have more quality players. Life is better now."

It couldn't be much worse than it was then - although Papac will be the first to admit Wednesday's defeat by Celtic was a mood-killer.

However, he insists Rangers' reaction this afternoon and perhaps more importantly next weekend at Parkhead will give a better indication of what their dressing-room is all about.

The 28-year-old said: "It's always difficult when you lose especially in the last minute against Celtic.

"We came so close to a draw with 10 men - we had concentration for 93 minutes, just not 95.

"But everything is still in our hands and we're strong enough to win the SPL.

"Next Sunday you'll see what our reaction is like. We have good quality but have to be strong now because every game is like a final until the end of the season.

"I still think one point from next week's Old Firm derby will be enough. Celtic have played two extra games compared to us and maybe next weekwe will be under more pressure but we'll be fine.

"We're coming to the end of the league, UEFA Cup and Scottish Cup and must be able to cope with pressure if we want to win things."

The demands are starting to take their toll though. Davie Weir misses this afternoon, Carlos Cuellar is out of the Celtic game and with Andy Webster still fighting back to fitness Walter Smith is running low on stoppers.

But Papac insists he's ready to revert to his old spot at centre-half.

He said: "The gaffer knows whatwe need for every game, who can play well in central defence.

"I'm now a left-back - I've been playing there for a year and a half and it's great. But if Walter wanted me to play in goals I'd do it.

"The demands of Scottish football mean it has come to this - it has been like playing two seasons in Austria - but I'm a better player for it."