PADDY Connolly doesn't have to wash his own strip since dumping Airdrie for St Johnstone. But the new Perth hitman insists he can clean up at Ibrox on Saturday ? for a second time! Connolly, who made the ?250,000 switch to McDiarmid Park last week, played for Dundee United when they white-washed Rangers three years ago. With Ivan Golac in charge, Connolly and company dazzled everyone at Ibrox with a superb 3-0 win. And the striker insists there will be no spots on him when he makes only his second appearance for Saints. 'That was a brilliant result for us and shocked everyone,' beamed Paddy. 'It was unheard of at the time for a team to beat Rangers, let alone at Ibrox. 'But it was one of the strangest matches I've played in. I scored and the scoreline suggests we ran over Rangers. We were 3-0 up after only 20 minutes with Craig Brewster and Dave Bowman getting the other goals. 'But for the rest of the game it was backs to the wall stuff that we should have lost. Rangers put on so much pressure and had so many chances that they should have won the game quite easily. 'It's definitely one of the best results I've had at Ibrox, although I've played so much better there and come away a loser. But you don't worry about that and would settle for it every time ? we'd settle for it on Saturday.' Paddy, 26, now reckons the move to McDiarmid Park can relaunch his career. After more than 10 years at Tannadice he moved to Airdrie hoping for a quick-fire return to the Premier Division. But after two years in the First Division the striker was desperate to return to the big-time. He added: 'I must admit there was a little bit of relief on my part when the move finally went through. I loved ever minute of my time at Airdrie ? even though I did have to wash my own kit ? and I would have loved to have won promotion with them. 'Everyone knew St Johnstone wanted to sign me and I was getting fed up reading about it every second day. I feel it was the perfect move ? with St Johnstone a Premier Division side and me looking to be playing at the top for a good few years to come. 'But it's up to me to establish myself all over again ? it's a challenge I feel up to and I'm looking forward to it. I'm not going to be an automatic choice. The club have paid a few quid for me but there are a lot of good strikers at the club. 'It's not a case that I can think I'll be playing every week ? I have to prove I'm worth a place like everyone else.' Connolly made his debut against Hibs last Saturday just hours after signing for Saints. The striker knows time is running out for Rangers as their grip loosens on the Championship by the week. 'It's going to be very tough going to Ibrox,' he added. 'Rangers are desperate for points but we're looking to take something from the game too. Every team in the division are chasing points for different reason and we're no different. We were really disappointed that we dropped points to Hibs last week. 'I thought I played all right although the pace was so much quicker ? which I knew it would be. 'It was hard to prepare for it and near the end of the game I did tire a little bit. 'I'd got used to the First Division in the last couple of seasons but it will come once I get used to the pace again. 'The atmosphere was different, too, with a lot more supporters wat-ching. It's going to be a different level again at Ibrox. 'But I enjoy playing there and it's one of the places where you want to play. They are always a tough side to beat ? although they are certainly not unbeatable.' Elsewhere tomorrow Celtic make the trip to Pittodrie for their vital clash with Aberdeen. Wim Jansen's men are still two points clear of second placed Hearts while Rangers trail their Old Firm rivals by five points. Hearts travel to Tannadice for their game with Dundee United while Hibs and Motherwell's clash at Easter Road could determine who falls to First Division at the end of the season with Alex McLeish facing his old club. Kilmarnock and Dunfermline meet at Rugby Park.
