PEDRO Caixinha came out fighting yesterday. Now he expects his players to do the same on Saturday.

The 46-year-old from Portugal arrived with a reputation for being a combustible personality but it has taken him only six weeks to enter fire-fighting mode.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's second instalment of two Old Firm matches in a week, Caixinha accused reporters of disrespect with their line of questioning, said he was tough enough to handle the flak and played down rumours of a player revolt over changes to their holiday plans. Herald Sport felt it was worth re-printing ...

Q. Have you had sleepless nights since Sunday's game?

PC: "Normally, if I have a match, I sleep like an angel before it. If I lose or I draw the match, I don't sleep the day after. I just need one day to charge my batteries. After that, I am smiling again and facing what comes.

Q. You said yesterday that you had felt 'ashamed' after Sunday. Was this because of the lack of passion your team seemed to show?

PC: "Totally. Because you know what we receive from our fans and supporters - passion. We should at least give the same back."

Read more: Pedro Caixinha expects 'wounded' Rangers players to show more passion against Celtic

Q. When did it become clear you weren't going to get that on Sunday?

PC: "I analysed that with the players and they know when we realised that. We analysed what really happened and what was supposed to happen."The Herald: Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha. Picture: SNS

Q. Do you think your players didn't understand what exactly you were looking for?

PC: "That is your understanding about their understanding."

Q. Do you think that too?

PC: "No, I don't. I don't."

Q. So what went wrong then?

PC: "We lost the match. They [Celtic] were better than us. They beat us. We definitely missed that passion. We missed that commitment."

Q. What gives you hope that Saturday will be different?

PC: "Because I believe in the players I have inside [the dressing room]. Do you know what it means to have wounded pride? Have you ever faced someone with wounded pride? Well that is the way we are. And that is the way that they are."

Q. How important is it for you to beat Celtic this season? Saturday is Rangers' last chance.

PC: "It is always important - and the process leads you to winning matches. I know if the players go in with that passion we will be closer to them."

Q. A lot has been made of the gap between Celtic and Rangers. Having managed in the Old Firm match for the first time, how big do you think it is?

PC: "It is not only from one match that I am going to perceive that gap. But the gap is quite clear. It is evident. We are quite realistic about that. We are working to trim it. Do you know any other team in the world that came from the mud and got into this position in five years' time? All of you need to understand that Scottish football needs a strong Rangers. That is what we are working for."

Q. Do you regret now saying on your arrival that you had the best squad in Scotland?

PC: “Not at all. I respect all of you guys but when you come here every week with the same question I think you’re being disrespectful to me. What I said is that when I’m defending my club – the way I’m defending Rangers now – they are the best club in the world, my board and my management are the best in the world. So that also means that my players and my squad are the best in the world."

Q. Do you need even more players than you first thought?

PC: “Do you want me to tell you again? I said from the first time we were here that we need a strong youth level, squad level and also bring in Scottish and international players. Do you want me to tell you names of the ones that are being told to get out and the ones that are coming in? I’m not going to do that. It’s my job to make these changes and that’s what I’m doing. My opinion has not changed on the back of last week’s match."

Read more: Pedro Caixinha expects 'wounded' Rangers players to show more passion against Celtic

Q. Do you feel your team have been unfairly criticised?

PC: "I don't care about this. I don't read the papers. And I don't care about external critics. I care about what I have inside and what I believe in."

Q. Do you plan to change your style of play or tactics for Saturday?

PC: "No change of style, no change of tactic. Just change the passion. Did Celtic change their tactics? No. They played exactly the same, they played with their identity. Did we change our identity in the previous five matches?"

Q. What is your reaction to reports that your players are unhappy with plans for them to return to training on June 1?

PC: “Normally I don’t comment on stories because I don’t read stories. I have three books on my bedside table which I like – so I choose the stories I want to read. But if those things are coming from inside it is something I need to find out about and when I find out I will act.

“You can write what you want but if the respect passes then you’re not counting on me for anything. Our first competitive game is going to be June 29, we normally need five or six weeks pre-season and the season finishes on May 21 so it’s a question of maths.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha expects 'wounded' Rangers players to show more passion against Celtic

"The players don’t need to complain because the plan has not been presented to them yet. If someone is doing my work I would appreciate they come and tell me how it’s going to be. At the moment, it’s unofficial and when it is official and when I want you to know it, you will know it from me."

Q. This is the most agitated we have seen you, Pedro ...

PC: "No. You are seeing someone that is clear, is frontal, is open – but everyone has his own limit. When I feel I am not being respected, I’m not going to respect. I’m polite, I’m educated but I’m a f***ing tough guy."

Q. In what way do you think the media is being disrespectful?

PC: "Because of those stories, because of other stories, because of the repetition of all the things I’m saying here on a weekly basis. We didn’t discuss anything about what’s going on in the next match, which is the reason we are here. If we discuss football I’m totally glad and happy to be here until 8 o’clock in the evening."

Q. What is your message to the fans?

PC: "Keep supporting us. Normally, in a massive club like this, the stand gets on the pitch. From the first second, we call on the stands to support us."

Q. What would you change about your preparation or plans if you could go back before kick off last Sunday?

PC: "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Q. What were your general impressions of managing on Old Firm day?

PC: "When we are on the sidelines we don’t focus on the surroundings but it’s fantastic environment. At the beginning I just looked around the stadium and I found it amazing."

Q. Can you imagine what it would be like to win one?

PC: "Maybe it feels a little bit different, for sure! I hope to have that feeling at Ibrox on Saturday.

Q: Scott Brown said your players didn't have the legs or the quality to beat Celtic?

PC: "That’s his opinion. I respect that. It’s an opinion from an opposing player who had a good game in which we allowed him to play the way he wants to play. I respect all opinions."