Craig Levein hopes St Johnstone can prey on Rangers 'negativity'

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is hoping his side can play on any ‘negativity’ around Rangers’ European defeat when the sides meet in the Premier Sports Cup this weekend.

The loss to Dinamo Kyiv, following Jefte’s controversial red card, ended Rangers Champions League aspirations on Tuesday and they are aiming to pick themselves up to begin their defence of the League Cup.

While Rangers boss Philippe Clement will be hoping his players can set aside the pain of their European setback, Levein aims to deliver a cup upset and believes a slow start for the hosts at Hampden could help his cause.

“If we play well and manage to keep the ball for a period of time then I am pretty sure there will be some negativity in the stadium,” said Levein.

“And if we can keep it scoreless for a while there will be some negativity in the stadium.

“It is easy saying those things but you have got to do them and that is the hard part.”

The Saints manager believes Rangers will be keen to bounce back as soon as possible, but after capitalising on Kilmarnock’s European hangover to win 3-1 at Rugby Park last weekend, he thinks his team go into the cup tie in good spirits.

“I thought Rangers played well the other night,” he said. “I thought they were unlucky with the sending off.

“I am sure that Philippe will be able to look at that game and take some positives out of it.

“I am sure they will recognise this is a route to winning silverware so they will be up for the match, I am certain, and so will we.

“I think my players will take confidence from last week. There was some really good performances, individually and with units in the team performing well together, so that helps with confidence of course.

“We do recognise we are playing a good team in Rangers.”