Derek McInnes has praised "brilliant" Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and says the Croat's form has gone under the radar.

Since signing from Hull City on a four-year deal in the summer, 26-year-old Pandur has brought a sense of calm to the Rangers defence, which was demonstrated again in the 1-0 League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Prior to the Premiership clash with St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday night, manager McInnes said: "I think he's done so well.

"The fact I don't really get asked a lot about Pandur, he's just so quietly effective, and I think the players hold such a high regard for him and take confidence from him.

"There's nothing worse - I've been there as a player when you're not sure about your goalie and it affects a lot of what's happening on the pitch. But when you know you've got a good one there, it sends out the exact opposite.

"The confidence he sends throughout the team is clear, whether it's dealing with things at his feet, in the air.

"His shot-stopping is unbelievable. I watch him in training - every shot has the same importance. He just wants to keep the ball out of his net and, for me, they're the best types.

"He doesn't try harder for one shot than he does the next one. Everything is 'You're not beating me', I think he plays the game that way. He's been brilliant."

Rangers will face Hibs in the League Cup final next month and McInnes stressed the positives of taking the penultimate step towards the first trophy of the season and of his career as Ibrox boss.

The former Rangers midfielder said: "It's been really as you'd expect. I think you've got to take the good from the game.

"It's not easy getting to a cup final and the fact that we're there now, you've got to try and be pleased with that.

"I think the whole club - I was at the Charity Foundation ball on Sunday - and everybody's so excited about going to the cup final, and that's where we should be.

"We'll look forward to it when it comes around, but it's important now that we just really focus on this game before we get into the break, because it can easily dissipate, all that excitement and optimism, on the back of the next result."