Derek McInnes has told his Rangers players to put the controversy over his return trip to Hearts to one side and use the next six days to show they can put the club back where it belongs.

The Ibrox outfit bounced back from last weekend’s draw at Dundee to smash St Johnstone 4-0 at home yesterday through two goals from the recalled Kevin Kelsy and efforts from Ryan Naderi and substitute Tochi Chukwuani.

Manager McInnes now faces a journey into the lion’s den on league business at Tynecastle on Wednesday after leaving there to join Rangers in the summer and knows the welcome waiting for him will be intense and intimidating.

However, he believes that plays second-fiddle to his players proving they can handle the heat and win when it matters ahead of Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Aberdeen at Hampden Park.

Asked about his return to Gorgie, McInnes replied: ‘Listen, I think what we have to concentrate on is the game. Obviously, there's going to be a lot made going back there, but Hearts have got such a strong home record.

‘Tynecastle is brilliant for getting behind the team, and it's a tough venue for any team to go to, at the best of times. Once the game starts, it's all about the game, and we just need to make sure we bring a big performance. I look forward to the challenge.

‘It's a big week for us. We've dealt with the first part, and we've got two tough games ahead of us, starting at Tynecastle, and then, obviously, Hampden in the semi-final.

‘I think there are certain fixtures that are a bit more difficult than others. Hearts away midweek is always one you would say is fraught with difficulty, but we've got to go there confident, that we're in decent form, knowing that we've got a performance in us that can win the game.

‘It's a great game to play in and the semi-final is where we want to be, so that's par for the course and, hopefully, it should be that we continually visit Hampden for semi-finals and finals.

‘We're 90 minutes away from getting a chance to put our hands on silverware, so the prize is there for the players. These are big games, but you expect to take part in big games, when you're here.’

McInnes was pleased with his side’s display against St Johnstone and reserved special praise for Kim Min-su, who was involved in the first three goals.

‘It's the first thing he talks about that he’s not scored, and I'm trying to get him away from that,’ said McInnes. ‘He's so desperate to score and do well, and I think it's clearly annoying him that he's hit a couple of posts now, but his overall game, his threat, was superb today.

‘He's so willing. His counter-press is magnificent. His confidence in possession, his work rate, and the quality that he shows throughout the game. He did everything but score. I'm fortunate we've got good wide players, but they know the importance of getting the numbers up, as none more so than Min-su.

‘We were so brilliant in the first half, created so many opportunities, and were only a goal to the good at half-time. I asked the players to be brilliant today, not just win the game. Can we really commit to being the best we can be, as good as we can be?

‘I thought we were in the first half. Everything was brilliant except the result at half-time. Ironically, we scored three goals in the second half, when we weren't as polished and as clean with our work.

‘I can state the obvious at half-time, saying we need to be more ruthless, but I think the players know that themselves.’

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari was accepting of his side’s defeat.

‘No complaints about the result,’ he said. ‘Rangers were very strong in the first half.

‘For 15 minutes in the second half, we had momentum at 1-0 down, but the logic of the situation is that if you don’t take your chances the top teams will score, which they did.

‘You can’t ask for better chances than the ones we got.’

Josh Fowler hit the side netting when clean through on 35 minutes, with Rangers just one goal in front, and Valakari admits the striker should have done better.

‘You’ve got to hit the target and ask questions of the goalkeeper,’ he said.

Saints also had substitute Kai Fotheringham sent off with 14 minutes to play after VAR Andrew Dallas sent referee Chris Graham to the monitor to review a challenge on Nico Raskin for serious foul play.

‘I would say it was a little bit unlucky,’ stated Valakari. ‘Kai got the ball, but the follow-through was high and, when you have VAR, it’s easy to give the red card.’