Jim Goodwin tells Dundee United stars to use Ibrox to their 'advantage' as weight of Rangers expectation rises

Many of Dundee United ’s squad will make their first visit to Ibrox this weekend – and manager Jim Goodwin insists they won’t be fazed.

From the United starting 11 who beat Ross County before the break only Declan Gallagher, Kevin Holt and Ryan Strain have previously played away at Rangers. Goodwin knows the pressure is on Philippe Clement ’s squad as they look to chase down Celtic and Aberdeen and that is something he hopes his own team can use to their advantage when they are on the south side of Glasgow.

The Tannadice gaffer said: “We’ve highlighted that during the week (the number of players that it will be their first time at Ibrox) and it’s a really good thing. It’s an exciting time for them to go to such an iconic stadium – 50,000-odd fans – and they’ve got to relish the experience. The players won’t be fazed at all. Sometimes those venues bring out the best in you and I really hope that’s the case on Saturday.

“This group of players have faced Rangers here (at Tannadice) earlier in the season and could have taken a point on the day. They know what to expect. They know how passionate the Rangers fans can be, and that the atmosphere will be intense at times. But we’ll try to use that to our advantage. I believe in my players.”

Goodwin has had success as a manager at Ibrox when he was at St Mirren. He is aiming to repeat that feat with United. He said: “You need to get a lot of different elements right.

“The concentration and the discipline out of possession is important. We need to take a lot of confidence from what we did well in the game against them here.

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