Dundee United boss Peter Houston does not think Rangers will be an easier proposition because of a couple of suspensions affecting the team. 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."