St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has challenged his players to continue their confident start to life in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League against Rangers.

The Irn-Bru First Division champions picked up their first SPL win at the seventh attempt when they beat Hamilton two weeks ago but they had created numerous chances in their previous games, three of which were drawn.

And McInnes, who signed a contract extension this week, wants his players to prove they belong in the SPL by giving Rangers a tough afternoon at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

"They have shown a confidence," the former Rangers midfielder said.

"They feel they can mix it with the best in the country. Obviously Rangers is a tough ask, they will be buoyant after the Old Firm game.

"I think they are probably stronger as a team than they were last year.

"But the reason we worked so hard over the last year was so we could pit our wits against the likes of Rangers.

"We're looking forward to it. If we can show the same confidence and the same ability that we have shown for the majority of the games then we can do well.

"We have to make sure Rangers play really, really well to win the game."

McInnes added: "We have got to pick a team that suits us. We look at each team's strengths and weaknesses, although obviously Rangers have less weaknesses, and we pick a team for each opposition.

"But whatever team we go with we will try to be positive."

McInnes and assistant Tony Doherty extended their contracts until May 2011 after talks with chairman Geoff Brown came to fruition.

The former West Brom captain had signalled his desire to repay Brown's faith after being linked with the Baggies and Watford in the summer.

"I never envisaged it being a problem," McInnes said. "The chairman told me the deal was there and I indicated I saw my future at St Johnstone.

"So it was never going to be an issue but it's just good to get it sorted.

"I was given the opportunity to manage the team two years ago and we managed to get up last season. That was my remit and the players' remit and we managed to do that.

"Now we want to try to establish ourselves as an SPL club and that's part of my role now."

While news of the manager's long-term future boosted Saints ahead of the visit of Rangers, there was less promising news on their captain's immediate prospects.

Kevin Rutkiewicz played in a friendly against Hamilton this week after recovering from the knee injury that has sidelined him all season, but he has a new worry.

"Kevin Rutkiewicz has picked up a slight problem with his back during the bounce game on Tuesday so he is doubtful," McInnes said.