HAMPDEN has been the scene of more heartache than heroics for Rangers in recent years as the trips to the National Stadium have been a case of so near, yet so far.

But Ryan Jack knows the Light Blues must get back to the home of Scottish football once again as Pedro Caixinha’s side set their sights on the silverware this season.

Since beating Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup last April, the Gers have failed to win on any of their last three outings at Hampden.

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Glasgow Times: Ryan Jack in action for Rangers

The defeat to Hibernian was the ultimate low point upon which to end the Championship winning campaign. Last term, Brendan Rodgers’ side twice took the Old Firm bragging rights on their way to a domestic clean sweep.

With the Premiership title seemingly already outwith their grasps, it is the knock-out competitions that again provide Rangers with their best chances of a winner’s medal in the coming months.

The next stop on the road to Hampden is Firhill as Caixinha’s side look to secure a semi-final berth by overcoming Partick Thistle this evening.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha happy to see Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos catch the eye of English clubs​

Derby day may be looming large on the horizon, but Jack only has one thing in mind as Rangers prepare for the second leg of their Jags double-header.

“You are either in the cup or you are out and watching everyone else competing in the semi-finals,” he said.

“It is a great game for us to go and get ourselves back to Hampden, get a day at Hampden and get the fans right behind us.

“I am sure they will turn up in their numbers to do their bit. It is up to us to turn up and put in a good performance.

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“When I came here, I knew it is a massive club. It is a chance to progress my career, be in a good team and hopefully a successful team that can go on and play a part in bringing the club back, getting trophies and competing at the top end of the table.

“As a team, we realise it is important and all our focus is on [tonight].

“Up to now, it is the biggest week [of the season]. Who knows, if we get through this and get through to a semi-final then you have got cup finals and you have got bigger games to look forward to.

“So far this season, of course this is the biggest week. It is important that we meet it head on and there is no fear. It is all about looking forward to it and being positive.”

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A comfortable 6-0 win over Dunfermline last month saw Rangers ease into the last eight but the task will be considerably tougher tonight.

Caixinha’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by Thistle on Friday as they let another two crucial Premiership points slip through their grasps.

It was a performance and a result that have put further pressure on the Portuguese’s shoulders before two matches that could define Rangers’ campaign, and potentially shape his Ibrox future.

After taking the lead through Alfredo Morelos, the Gers required a late equaliser from Graham Dorrans to earn them a share of the spoils at Firhill.

And Jack admits Caixinha’s side must capitalise when they are on top and kill teams off after mistakes at both ends of the park came back to haunt them once again.

Read more: Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack has no hard feelings over tough tackle from Ryan Edwards​

He said: “We kind of built a bit of momentum with the last two results and two good performances [against Ross County and Dundee].

“I felt first half against Thistle we were fine and there was no real threat or pressure.

“Second half, we switch off and don’t start bright. That shows that it doesn’t matter how good a team you are, in this league you always have to be switched on.

“We don’t do what we should do and we find ourselves behind and we have to claw it back.

“When we are on top of teams, it is important that we put them to bed.”

Read more: Pedro Caixinha happy to see Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos catch the eye of English clubs​

Having slipped up once at Firhill already this time, Rangers can ill-afford to make the same mistake for a second time tonight.

The point that Thistle earned doubled their tally for the season and they find themselves eleventh in the standings after the first half a dozen Premiership outings.

Rangers may not be firing on all cylinders just yet, but they will still be overwhelming favourites to progress to the last four as they attempt to finally hit top gear.

Jack said: “I think the frustration was the first half. We had two or three clear breakaways and the wrong decision in the final third. We never put them to bed like we would have liked to.

“Going in at half-time, Thistle will be saying ‘we are still in it, they haven’t taken their chances, let’s have a right go’ and we were saying that we should have taken our chances but we go again. That is football and you move on.

“We got a point, we were frustrated, we were disappointed, of course we were, the same as the fans. It is a different competition and it gives us a chance to get back to Hampden.”