NEIL ALEXANDER today warned his team-mates they risk blowing their title chances against Hearts ... unless they forget all about next week's Old Firm clash.

Rangers take on Celtic at Ibrox for the final time in the SPL tomorrow week in a game which will go a long way towards deciding the destination of the championship.

Walter Smith's side are currently just one point behind Gordon Strachan's men, who take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie tomorrow, with just five games remaining. However, keeper Alexander reckons Gers could come unstuck against the Jambos on Sunday if they get too hung up about the Hoops showdown.

He said: "I think the Old Firm game has always been at the back of our minds, but I think we have to focus solely on the game in hand.

"Every game we have between now and the end of the season is massive, is like a cup final really.

"We need to concentrate on one at a time. If we start thinking about other games then our minds wander and we are going to lose our focus. From now on, our focus is on Hearts this weekend. Once that is done and dusted then we can look towards the Celtic game.

"We have to take things very much one game at a time at the moment. Three points is a must for us this weekend.

"If we get carried away and play the occasion and not the game then our minds are going to get distracted and we have got some big, big games coming up.

"If we keep our minds focused and treat every game as important then we should be okay.

"We have to concentrate for 90 minutes and do what we have been doing recently - pass the ball and create chances.

"Our home crowd should help us on Sunday and in the Celtic game the following week as well. Hopefully, that should be enough to see us through.

"The boys are sky high at the minute. Confidence is very high. We know we are going to create chances and nine times out of 10 we are going to score goals.

"If we can keep it tight at the back then we are going to come away with three points."

Alexander, who has helped Rangers win five on the spin since he took over from axed Boozegate star Allan McGregor between the sticks, admits Madjid Bougherra will be badly missed in the Hearts game.

The Algerian centre-half is suspended after going over the disciplinary points threshold in a 2-1 win over St Mirren in Paisley at the start of last month.

But the Scotland international is confident there are good enough players in the squad to cope with the absence of the no-nonsense stopper.

Speaking on RTV he said: "You are going to miss your big players. We have done all season. But the boys who have come in have done a fantastic job.

"We have got strength in depth in the squad. Whoever is going to come in is going to do a good job."