HE has lifted four pieces of silverware, had the medals hang around his neck and celebrated on each occasion. They are ones Lee Wallace never thought he would collect and prizes he doesn’t want another chance of winning.

A fifth, what was the most sought-after to date, slipped through his grasp at Hampden last season, and he returns this weekend with an added motivation to banish the memories of that day in May. Victory would put Rangers just 90 minutes away from a major triumph once again, but their Old Firm foes stand in the way.

Mark Warburton’s side set their sights on the Premiership title this term but the cup competitions always appeared to offer them their best chance of success. Like in the league, Celtic are the main impediment to any ambitions Rangers have of adding to their illustrious honour roll.

Wallace lead by example as the Third Division, League One and Championship titles were secured and held aloft the Petrofac Training Cup last season. There was no repeat against Hibernian, though, as the Scottish Cup was snatched away in the closing seconds.

It is the Betfred Cup that is on the Gers’ agenda this weekend. The chance to overcome their biggest rivals motivates Warburton’s players, but the lure of silverware inspires them.

"It's important,” Wallace said. “It was disappointing the last time we can here. It was the chance to get that first piece of major silverware in a number of years.

"But we will use that final as motivation. We were disappointing on the day but full credit to Hibs. They fully deserved their victory on the day. We got away, dusted ourselves down and rested and got into pre-season. But we will be using that moment as motivation and we will be looking to get Rangers silverware in the cabinet.

“It's a big part of why I came to this football club and I have not managed to do it yet in six or seven years being here. It's very much a big ambition of mine and I've still time to do that.

“We can get to a cup final if we win on Sunday if all goes to plan and the aim is to bring that true Rangers silverware back to our support who have been ever so loyal in the last number of years. As players we are desperate to deliver that to the fans.”

The last time the Old Firm met at Hampden, it was Rangers who left with the bragging rights and a place in the next round. Victory over Celtic last season was arguably the highlight of the campaign for Warburton, but the most recent outing proved to be his lowest day in the dugout.

Just weeks after being humbled 5-1 at Parkhead, Rangers have a point to prove to themselves and their critics. The stage is set and Wallace is determined to rise to the occasion.

“It’s pleasing to play in this type of fixture as a footballer,” he said. “You see the legends and guys that have been fortunate to play in these games, the nine-in-a-row team and winning top Rangers silverware.

“There is absolutely no doubt about that, you want to be part of these games as before you know it your career will be over and you’ll be wishing you were part of these games. We are all looking forward to this game, 100 percent. It’s a real privilege be part of the intensity, the build-up is always great.

“You grow as an individual, your character grows and while it’s an intense build-up and whether you come out as a victor or on the receiving end of a defeat you always grow as a person because there is a real intensity to the fixture and in the aftermath you feel that physically and mentally. So whether it came two weeks after the 5-1 or seven weeks, it doesn’t matter. It’s a real great fixture to be part of and if you come out a winner it’s an even better feeling.”

If Rangers are to feel that concoction of euphoria and relief once again, they will have to significantly improve from their Premiership fixture. The fall-out at Ibrox was as intense as the atmosphere at Parkhead as Warburton and his players came in for criticism from all quarters.

Wallace was at the forefront of it, but the 29-year-old insists he won’t be the only one in Light Blue who will look to take the lead in the heat of battle this time out.

“While I am captain, I have always said we have four or five other captains in the dressing room,” he said. “They can pick players up and use their experiences to keep the dressing room positive. We are fortunate to have those types of characters in our dressing room. It is easy to keep guys in a positive mind set.

“While it was a sore defeat to take we were back a few days later using that pain and turning it into motivation. We are further into that gelling process and we have made a lot of progress in the past three or four weeks.”

As the Rangers supporters headed for the exits and Warburton’s squad boarded the bus defeated and dejected, it was Wallace who fulfilled his duties as captain and fronted up at Parkhead.

The message and the outlook, he hopes, will be far more positive this time around as Rangers attempt to repair some of the damage that has been self-inflicted during an unconvincing start to the season.

“After the game it was hard to speak having felt so emotional and I remember saying that when I spoke after,” Wallace said. “It’s not until you go away from it and maybe get to listen to yourself speak and think maybe that was wrong.

“But there was a real intensity to it the last time and that might just gather as the week goes on. We’re aware of that, we know the rivalry and I’ve said it 101 times, there is a real aggression, a real passion for this fixture, one of the best games worldwide and we have to relish that.

“We understand the responsibility to our own fans and it’s about imposing our style, imposing our game plan and going and being the best we can be on the day and hopefully getting the win.”