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Mark Warburton says Rangers-Celtic semi-final just the start

Mark Warburton
Image: Mark Warburton has big plans for Rangers

Mark Warburton says Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final is just a stepping stone as Rangers aim to close the gap to rivals Celtic.

This weekend brings the second meeting of the Glasgow rivals since newco Rangers were readmitted to Scottish football in the Third Division four years ago.

Last year's League Cup semi-final ended in a 2-0 Celtic win, but Rangers return to Hampden with promotion to the Premiership secured and at least four derbies to look forward to next season.

And while Warburton acknowledges the immediate importance of "one of the biggest derbies in world football", the long-term goal is to be regular challengers to Celtic's recent dominance of the Scottish game.

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"Everything for us is now geared towards next season," said Warburton, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ.

"It's a huge fixture, one of the biggest derbies in world football. We recognise it, we respect and appreciate it, but our work has got to be on the bigger picture.

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Sky Sports News HQ goes behind the scenes at Rangers' training ground

"There's a gap to Celtic. They're top of the Premiership for a reason, they've had European football and the budgets that brings. Our job between now and August 6 is to close that gap.

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"The moment this club stops moving forward we have a problem. We have to keep building - aggressively if we can, but shrewdly - and use the experience of the staff to take the club back to where it needs to be.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths scores in his club's previous meeting with Rangers
Image: Last season's meeting between the Glasgow rivals ended in a 2-0 Celtic win

"Whatever the outcome we have to learn from this game. To take the club back we need these kind of experiences."

Rangers' best chance of causing an upset at Hampden, Warburton believes, is to treat the semi-final as any other game.

"We're aware it's a huge came for supporters, for the city and the country," he said. "It's the first Old Firm game for a while, but it's up to us to prepare as always and try to deliver a performance."

Watch the Glasgow derby on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am this Sunday.

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