PEDRO CAIXINHA hailed Rangers for their ‘best collective performance’ of his Ibrox reign as they beat St Johnstone 3-0 last night.

A double from Carlos Pena and a Graham Dorrans strike clinched a comfortable win for the Light Blues at McDiarmid Park.

It was a crucial three points for Caixinha’s side as they followed up their victory over Hamilton last time out with a solid showing in Perth.

Caixinha said: “I think it was the best collective performance since we arrived. Very compact, very addicted to the game plan.

“Knowing everybody at the same time what they needed to do.

“Quality and keeping possessions, attacking spaces when it was needed – and fighting collectively and defensively.

“So it was the best collective performance. And the cherry on the top of the cake is a clean sheet.

“We want the team to perform like this all the time, knowing how to make the team very balance in every position.

“We didn’t give up spaces, didn’t give freedom for them to counter attack.

“That is something we worked at very hard all week and the boys understood it very well.

“The defensive basics were very clear. We talked about relationships between the back four and the midfield, the back four and the wingers – and it all worked.”

After recording successive wins as they have bounced back from their Old Firm defeat last month, Rangers will now turn their attentions to the Betfred Cup semi-final against Motherwell next Sunday.

The Steelmen will provide another stern test for Caixinha’s side as they attempt to build some momentum this term.

But the Portuguese is confident the Light Blues can rise to the occasion at Hampden and set up a final showing with Celtic or Hibernian.

Caixinha said: “Now the moment is for the boys to enjoy – they’re going to have three days off.

“So am I. I’m closing the store and not going to think about football.

“Tuesday and Wednesday, we have all the information on Motherwell and will work on that.

“The desire is there in both teams to win. The opponents will be tough.

“It is the biggest game of the season because it’s a knock-out

“This is going to be the most important game of the season.

“It was the same against Partick, because you lose and you are out.

“So this weekend is definitely the most important, with a place in the final at stake.

“It would be great to reach a final so early in the season. That’s our focus. We know we need to keep working hard.

“The boys are understanding the process more, getting a better confidence and trust in the process.

“This is what we really want. From here, we need to go even higher.”