KILMARNOCK boss Steve Clarke is reading nothing into last season’s successes against Rangers ahead of tomorrow’s Betfred Cup clash at Rugby Park.

Clarke (below) took over Killie last October, when they were bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership, and he guided the Ayrshire side to two wins, one draw and a defeat in their four league matches against Rangers.

The Ibrox men are unbeaten under new boss Steven Gerrard and have qualified for the Europa League play-off.

“There is a different mentality to last season because this is a completely new season,” said Clarke. “Rangers are a different team; we are a different team.

“We have lost one or two from last year, we have one or two players in to help us, so it is completely different.

“There is no point in looking back to last year.

“If you want to do well in the cup competitions you have to beat whoever is put in front of you so we look forward to the game.

“If we can reach the level of performance we know we are capable of it should be a good game.

“We are slowly getting back to the level we were at last season.

“It is not going to happen immediately. The performances in the main have been okay, and if we are competitive we are good enough to win matches against anybody, we have proved that.”

Clarke will also take little encouragement from Rangers’ exertions in Slovenia on Thursday night. He said: “I don’t think that will have any bearing on the game.

“Modern travel, easy. Players are used to it.

“It should be a good atmosphere and a good game.”