Jim Goodwin admits Rangers shock hope stems from Scotland heroics as Dundee United boss shown the way by Steve Clarke

Jim Goodwin reckons Dundee United can take inspiration from Scotland’s shock troops going into their weekend visit to Rangers.

The United boss was at Hampden on Tuesday as Steve Clarke’s side upset the odds to sink Spain in their Euro 2024 qualifier. Goodwin is looking for something similar as bottom side United look to rip up the form book and end Rangers’ unbeaten league run under Michael Beale. The United manager said: “Look at what Scotland did against Spain the other night – we’re looking for something similar. Steve Clarke had a game plan and his players carried it out brilliantly, so it shows what can be done.

“They were very disciplined and offered something in attack as well – which is precisely what you need in these games. Great credit has to go to Steve for the way he set the team up and Angus Gunn only had a couple of saves to make all night. It was brilliant for Scottish football. I was at the game with my son and all the way home he spoke about how delighted he was being there for such a huge result. We all want Scotland to qualify for the Euros, we want all the home nations there. But particularly, being in Scotland, it gives the whole country and the league a lift.”

Goodwin, in fairness, ran Rangers close at previous club Aberdeen in January. His Dons lost in extra-time in the League Cup semi-final and in the previous month they were winning 2-1 at Pittodrie in the league before they lost two goals in stoppage time.

It gives Goodwin confidence he can come up with a game plan that can challenge the Light Blues. The Irishman said: “One of the big issues for me at Aberdeen was the second game after the World Cup break and I’m still scratching my head how we ended up losing it!

“What I do take from it though