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Derek McInnes insists St Johnstone will not be on a revenge mission when they face Rangers in the Scottish Cup.

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The First Division side saw their hopes of reaching last season's final killed off by Rangers, who came out on top following a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Hampden.

Walter Smith's men went on to win the trophy with a narrow victory over Queen of the South, leaving St Johnstone wondering what might have been.

But as they prepare to face each other again in the fourth round, Saints boss McInnes insisted: "It's not about revenge.

"If the players want to use it as extra motivation, that's fine.

"But when the game kicks off, I don't think there will be many thoughts about what happened before. There will be some different players involved on both sides anyway.

"It's not a question of that; it's just about trying to do well on the night as a team and hoping we can cause Rangers problems - as we did in the semi-final."

Former Ibrox star McInnes believes his current team is even stronger than the one which ran Rangers close last term - but accepts Saints will still be widely regarded as underdogs.

"We are 14 games undefeated, and I feel we are better equipped as a team than we were that day," he said.

"Everyone who played in that game did exceptionally well, and we ran Rangers very close.

"But Rangers went on to win the tournament, and that shows you their strength and doggedness.

"We are well aware of that and we know we have to play well.

"We know we are up against a formidable side - but we will try to be positive in our approach and be confident."

Saints are bracing themselves for a difficult mission.

"It will be a very tough tie," McInnes acknowledges.

"We are the underdogs, and there is no real pressure on the team - except the pressure that comes from the supporters and me.

"Nobody else expects us to get a result. Rangers are a very strong side, individually and as a team.

"It will be a big 'ask' for the players - but it's one that we're determined to make the most of."

Sporting Life / Eurosport