St Johnstone attacker Filipe Morais is determined to help his side into the top six of the Scottish Premier League despite Saturday's defeat at Hamilton.The 1-0 loss dented the Perth side's chances of becoming the first promoted club to reach the top flight's top half since Livingston in 2002.
"We're all grafting and trying our hardest and all we can do is apologise to the fans for the game at Hamilton.
"Hopefully we can put that right against Rangers," said Morais.
Derek McInnes's men sit five points behind Hearts, who lie a distant sixth in the table, though they have a game in hand - against runaway leaders Rangers on Tuesday.
We're desperate to get something from the Old Firm this season
St Johnstone forward Filipe Morais
"The top six would be a great achievement for the club, for all the players and the fans," Morais told BBC Scotland after the defeat at New Douglas Park.
"Especially since it's our first season back in the SPL, it would be amazing. We want to make it happen."
Tuesday's fixture doubles up as Saints' final game in hand on Jim Jefferies' Hearts, who go to St Mirren then host Kilmarnock before the SPL splits into two sections of six.
For Saints, after Rangers, it is Dundee United at home before a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.
Morais is convinced the Perth side can give the champions-elect a big test at McDiarmid Park and show off their top-six credentials.
"A lot of people may be looking on and thinking they've only drawn with Falkirk and lost at Hamilton, but we want to now go on a run and pick up points," he said.
"We'd like to finish the season really strong and we're determined to do that.
"It's going to be very tough against Rangers. They're a brilliant team and very well organised.
"The manager's done a brilliant job there and we need to be well organised ourselves to go and take the game to them.
"If you try to sit back, they can pick you off, so I think we'll be confident and we'll be positive and we'll go and try to get something from the game."
Despite a decent start during which Saints made several good chances, Hamilton merited their victory and Morais admits they will have to up their game to stand a chance against the Ibrox high-flyers.
"We'll need to be at it from the off," he added. "When we're all hungry and buzzing for the game, we're a completely different team.
"If three or four start slacking off and they're not at the races, that's when we tend to do badly.
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"We'll have to be in their faces and put them under as much pressure as possible.
"Our games against the Old Firm - especially in Perth - we've played really well and felt we should have got something when we haven't.
"We've been unlucky in these games, so we're desperate to get something from the Old Firm this season."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport