Ryan Flynn insists St Mirren can’t count on a Rangers Euro hangover helping them win at Ibrox.
The Buddies travel to Glasgow tomorrow afternoon hoping to maintain their impressive Premiership run that’s seen them power up to third in the table.
Flynn knows the Saints are in for one of their toughest tests of the season against Gio van Bronckhorst’s side, who suffered a 2-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The experienced St Mirren midfielder believes the Ibrox side proved through their run to the Europa League final last season they’re more than capable of juggling midweek fixtures while also competing for the league title at home.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Flynn said: “Rangers away is always a tough game. There’s probably no tougher test in the league.
“I don’t think there’s any advantage to us in the fact they played Liverpool through the week. They’re so used to playing midweek and then at the weekend.
“They went all the way to the Europa League final last season, so they’re clearly a very good side with a lot of top, top players who can handle the workload.
“We just need to stick to our gameplan though and if we do then you never know. We’ve beaten Celtic already this season and no-one gave us much of a chance heading into that game.
“We know there’ll be phases of play where they’ve got a lot of possession and we’ve just got to ride that wave out and then do our best to make our chances count.
“We will create chances and we know we’ve got to be ruthless when our chances do come.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to keep our good run going, knowing we then have two very good home fixtures coming up against Kilmarnock and Dundee United.”
St Mirren travel to Ibrox without key striker Jonah Ayunga, who is suspended for the deliberate handball he committed against Livingston last weekend.
Flynn knows the powerful forward will be a big miss, but backed his replacement to step up and take the opportunity to shine on one of the biggest stages in Scottish football.
Flynn said: “We’ll miss big Jonah. He has been excellent so far and is key to how we counter-attack and press.
“It does mean someone else gets an opportunity and we’ve got great players waiting for a chance to shine. Alex Greive came on against Livi and took his goal really well. Whoever comes in will give their all and I’m sure will do the team proud.”
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As well as taking their chances, Flynn believes St Mirren must be brave on the ball when they do land on it in front of the packed Ibrox crowd.
The 34-year-old picked out Ethan Erhahon as one of the Paisley side’s key players who can stay strong when the pressure is on.Flynn added: “You’ve got to be brave on the ball at a place like Ibrox and Ethan is certainly one who can handle that.
“He’s been excellent this season and gets through a lot of work.
“He’s one that can help us control the game and ease the pressure when it comes.
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“Ethan has grabbed his opportunity this season with both hands and technically he’s so good. He will be a big player for us this season.”
