Tangerine terror Craig Easton expects a hot reception when he returns to Ibrox for the first time since his horror tackle on Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Dundee United youngster sparked fury in the stands and was sent off for his shocker during Rangers' 3-0 league win earlier this month. Fans favourite Gio took some revenge by scoring in the Ibrox rout. But shame-faced Easton still regrets his X-cert offence and fully expects being a target for stick when United travel back to Glasgow on Wednesday for their CIS League Cup quarter-final crunch. He said: "I didn't realise it was such a bad tackle until I saw it later on TV but I didn't mean to make contact with Gio. "I am glad he wasn't injured and will make a point of having a quick word with him before the kick-off. "Even so I expect to get some stick from the Rangers fans but that won't worry me - I enjoy playing in big atmospheres like Ibrox and Parkhead." Easton hopes to silence the boo boys by helping United march into the semi-finals for the second season running. It would be a major cup shock but the Tannadice ace reckons the team are showing signs of recovery after their dismal start to the season.

He said: "Our performance against Celtic last week gave us a lot of encouragement. A good show at Ibrox - and hopefully a place in the semi-finals - would bring us a further confidence boost." United reached the semis of the League and Scottish Cups last season but lost out on both occasions. Easton added: "We've done all right in the cups in recent years. We reached the Coca-Cola Cup Final in 1997 and were gutted to lose 3-0 to Celtic but it hurt just as much to go out in the semis last season. "It would be nice to go one better this time and give the fans a big day out. "We have come close in the cups before and have a chance. And a cup run would give the team a lift which would hopefully help our league form." This month has been one of the most traumatic in the club's history. Chairman Jim McLean resigned after an alleged assault on a TV reporter then former striker Alex Mathie branded defender Jason de Vos a backstabber. Easton reckons the squad have turned the negative publicity to their advantage and banded together. He said: "After what had happened with McLean, we didn't need Mathie saying stuff like that in the papers."The situation has brought us even closer together and we are determined to show we are not as bad a team as people say. "Most of the boys here have known each other for a long time and everyone is trying to help everyone else get through.

"The lads all went on a night out at a laser shooting gallery to help raise the spirits - and a good laugh like that is always great for squad morale. "Steven Thompson had a nightmare, he was a terrible shot, but as long as his shooting is better on the pitch we'll be okay! "There has never been a problem with team spirit but we have been happier with our recent performances and are confident it is going to come good for us." Dundee United manager Alex Smith is under pressure to deliver the side's first league win this season and start pulling them away from the foot of the table. However, Rangers are also feeling the pressure with the weight of fans' expectations on their backs. The irony of the situation is not lost on Gers striker Rod Wallace. But he insisted: "There are no confidence problems at Ibrox. "We know what to expect against United because there are no teams in Scotland who let us win easily. "But our injury list is the worst I have seen in two and a half years at Ibrox - that's our main problem."

Rangers boss Dick Advocaat has complained his side have been left reeling from injuries and tiredness as a result of their weighty fixture list. Wallace was the first to blow the whistle on exhaustion within the camp after only two league games had been played this season - but he would not like to see the CIS Cup axed. He said: "It is there in the rules that we have to take part and Rangers couldn't turn round and refuse to play. "We want to win the cup if we can because when players start a match they can't curb the natural desire to do better than the other side." ©Sunday Mail