 Dundee United manager Peter Houston is under no illusions that Rangers will be an easier proposition tonight because of a couple of suspensions affecting the team. His opposite number, Walter Smith, will be without Kevin Thomson for the Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Tannadice tonight after he was sent off in Sundays Co-Operative Insurance Cup final against St Mirren. Lee McCulloch is also banned after going through the disciplinary threshold. However, Danny Wilson - also sent off on Sunday - is available for selection. Thomson and McCulloch have been key players for Rangers this season but Houston knows Smith's squad has a number of quality players so he will be able to call on a number of suitable replacements. He said: "A lot of people will think that because Rangers are missing Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch we've got a better chance than normal. But I don't buy into that at all. We will still need to be at it, at our very best and do the things we work on. Because Rangers are losing a few big players that doesn't necessarily make it easier for us and that's something I've drummed into the players. Just because one or two are not there they still have plenty of quality to bring in. They will have their crowd behind them and they have their battling qualities so there's no way it ever gets easier against the Old Firm." United have lost to Rangers on their last two visits to Tayside so Houston is eager to make it third time lucky for his men. United had a good record against them in Dundee until recently so are keen to get back to winning ways. Houston said: "Rangers have beaten us the last few times here. On the final day last season they had to win for the league and we had to get a point for Europe. That day they started better than us and that's something we can't let happen again. I think they know coming here is a difficult place so they had that in mind and that's why they started so well. This time we need to be right up there with them, match them in everything. I don't think there's any point trying to contain them, the best way to approach it is by attacking. As long as you're sensible at the back then it's the best thing to do. It's a cup game, a one-off so if you need to take a risk late in the game then it's worth doing it." |
|
Editor |