Brechin boss Ray McKinnon is hoping his players have finally learned the painful lessons inflicted on them in recent weeks as they prepare to face League One champions Rangers.
The Glebe Park gaffer knows his rearguard in particular will have to be at their Sunday best if the Angus side are to have a chance against Ally McCoist’s men.
McKinnon certainly could not make a case for his defence last week as they conceded two early goals at Stenhousemuir, with Brechin ultimately losing 4-2.
Now he is looking for a big improvement against the champions, who he insists still have plenty to play for despite wrapping up the title.
He said: “I had a long chat with the players after the Stenny game but they are still not learning from their mistakes.
“It has been so disappointing in the last three or four games that we have conceded so many soft goals.
“Some of the defending has been horrific and the players have to take responsibility.
“We worked on defending all week but it went out the window against Stenny and we found ourselves two goals down in six minutes.
“It is incredibly frustrating. We simply have to roll the sleeves up and try to rectify our mistakes such as failing to stop crosses going into our box and to clear our lines properly.”
He added: “It doesn’t get any easier with Rangers next up at the Glebe on Sunday.
“I have heard suggestions they might take their foot off the pedal now they have secured the league and have their Scottish Cup semi-final with Dundee United coming up.
“However, I firmly believe Rangers are determined to go through the league season unbeaten and there will be no letting up from them.
“They might rest some players but they have a huge squad and can bring in quality in most positions.
“For instance, I fully expect them to bring back Nicky Clark to play against us and he scored nearly 40 goals last season.
“Despite that, we always carry a threat up top as shown by the fact that Rangers have not lost a goal on their travels in the league apart from when they have played us.
“So if we can finally keep it tight at the back, then we should be in with a fighting chance of pulling off a result against the odds.”
McKinnon will once again be without the injured Steven Robb, Garry Kenneth, Ewan Moyes and Derek Carcary.