Dundee United 0 a 1 Rangers

Webster missing for Gers clash

Updated: October 31, 2009, 1:48 PM UK

Andy Webster will miss Dundee United's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers on Sunday under the terms of his loan move from the Scottish champions.

Garry Kenneth will therefore start alongside Darren Dods at the heart of defence, which could once again be protecting player-coach Steve Banks, with goalkeeper Nicky Weaver still struggling with a thigh strain.

Long-term injury absentees Jon Daly (knee), Francisco Sandaza (groin), Kevin Smith (ankle), Lee Wilkie (knee) and Scott Robertson (groin) are all missing.

Garry Kenneth believes a team meeting in the wake of United's Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat at St Johnstone will help them defeat Rangers.

The Tannadice players have struggled to get going at the start of games recently so manager Craig Levein held a long chat with his playing staff on Wednesday.

During this, he stressed the importance of kicking off matches strongly and defender Kenneth insists his words have been taken on board.

He said: "After the St Johnstone game, we had a chat and the gaffer pointed out there has been times we've only started playing once we've gone behind.

"That's not acceptable so we've got to make sure we're at it from the very start on Sunday.

"When you play one of the Old Firm, getting the first goal is often crucial so we'll be doing everything we can to keep the door shut at one end and hopefully punish them at the other.

"I'd say Rangers are a better team than they give themselves credit for at the moment. But that doesn't make them unbeatable.

"We're at home, in front of our own fans and everyone is confident we can get a result.''

Madjid Bougherra has been ruled out is doubtful for next week's crucial Champions League tie with Unirea Urziceni.

The centre-half has been out of action with a knee injury picked up after a late return from international duty saw him miss the win at St Johnstone earlier this month.

Lee McCulloch missed training today and is still rated doubtful with a thigh strain. Kirk Broadfoot has returned to training after recovering from a footinjury but the weekend action is likely to come too soon.

Rangers manager Walter Smith has urged his players to deliver a similar performance to the one which won them the championship when they return to Tannadice.

The Tayside venue has been a notoriously difficult one for Rangers but was the scene of their title triumph when they claimed the crown there on the final day of last season.

This time around, the Scottish champions head into the clash with Craig Levein's men in very different circumstances.

Off-field financial worries continue to dominate newspaper column inches, while results on the park have not been particularly inspiring either.

Last week's draw with Hibernian saw Rangers surrender top spot in the SPL and Smith has targeted the meeting with United as the game to steer their campaign back on track.

He said: "We haven't started the season to the level we finished last season and we just need to try to get back to that level.

"Our players have set a terrific standard for themselves and we have only lost one league game this year so we just have to make sure we pick up and keep going.

"We have had too many draws recently, although we have had some tough games. The one we face on Sunday will be a big one for us.

"Dundee United are only three points behind us in the league and, if they can make up that gap, that will be a significant one for them.

"We always have tough games up there. We won the championship there at the end of last season and that was probably our best performance there since I came back.

"We will need something like that on Sunday if we are going to do anything especially after their disappointment at getting knocked out of the cup the other night.''