Next up - Rangers

Boxing Day 2002 was the last time we defeated the blue hordes from Ibrox and when you consider how much they have fallen in that time it is a poor record.  The likes of Hateley, Laudrup and De Boer were all given bloody noses on what seemed a regular basis but right now we just can't get to grip with them.  Is it that former superstars were more likely to take their eye off the ball and lose rather than battle to like their less talented modern counterparts?  Possibly, but why then do United, Hibs and Aberdeen seem to churn out regular victories against the Old Firm while we cannot?

O'Brien from the spot

Craig Brown will certainly think carefully about his line-up and formation and at least one change will be needed as Coke is suspended.  A 4-5-1 would normally be tempting, even at home, but memories of the Inverness debacle will probably ensure we keep two up front.  The more mobile Murphy may well be used instead of Sutton to give their defenders a different problem to deal with.  We'll probably have the option of Michael McGlinchey, the World Cup hopeful, on the bench for starters.

Hutchison and Fitzpatrick are injured but otherwise our squad is looking healthy.  Rangers too have few problems in that regard with Beasley out but Edu is approaching fitness again and everyone else seems available.

The one certainty is our bad run against Rangers won't last forever but it might not end this week.  Despite our best efforts a 0-1 defeat could well be the outcome.