Alloa star Jason Marr reckons their solid defensive display in the 1-0 SPFL Championship win over Livingston proves that they are ready for the test of a trip to Ibrox to face Rangers this weekend.

The former Celtic trainee feels the victory over John McGlynn’s Lions was a timely one because of the confidence they will gain from the hard-earned clean sheet.

The 25-year-old says they must draw confidence from the 1-1 draw with Ally McCoist’s side earlier in the campaign.

Marr told Advertiser sport: “Three points was the main thing for us against Livingston and to keep a clean sheet as well was a great boost for us ahead of our next league game at Ibrox. We have to grind out the result, but doing that can only give us confidence. Everyone has had to work their socks off and we got our reward for it.

“This win was massive for us because it is three points on the board ahead of what will be a difficult test for us against Rangers at Ibrox.

“We will go there with a massive belief in our own ability because we played well against them in the game here and so there is no reason why we can’t go there and do that again.” The former Falkirk star was delighted to get his chance back in the side after a spell on the sidelines with injury and he says the competition for places with Kyle Benedictus is something that can only be good for the team.

The form of red-hot striker Liam Buchanan has kept Alloa ticking over in recent weeks despite some indifferent performances, and the talented defender was relieved to see the rest of the team finally put in a performance to match.

Marr said: “Liam is obviously on a rich vein of form at the moment and his goals and performances have been vital for us, but I am just pleased that the rest of us were able to put in a performance to match his.

“I was delighted to get my chance against Livingston. We have a really competitive squad and it is about grabbing your chance when it comes along. Kyle took his when I got injured and now that he’s got suspended I just need to take mine and try to stay in the team.” The Wasps have painful memories of their last visit to face the Light Blues as they lost 7-0 in a Scottish Cup tie under Paul Hartley, but Marr believes they will be a different proposition for the Ibrox men this time around.

He added: “Obviously, the last time we were there in the cup, we shot ourselves in the foot after a minute and allowed them the run over the top of us. We have the majority of the boys from that game still at the club so we owe our fans a good day out through there this time around.

“We are a better team now and if we go there and play with confidence then hopefully we can get a result.”