Dundee United’s Garry Kenneth was determined his time at Tannadice wouldn’t end sitting on the sidelines.
The big centre-half announced earlier this season that he intended to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
After eight years at United, he was hoping to go out on a high but that desire looked to be dashed when he suffered what he initially feared was a season-ending hamstring injury last month while training.
However, Kenneth made a quick recovery and with Gavin Gunning out with a shoulder injury the lifelong United fan was drafted in against Hearts at the weekend.
With Gunning still not being risked by manager Peter Houston, Kenneth looks certain to retain his place against Rangers at Ibrox tonight.
He said: ”I think the physio was just being cautious saying that I might struggle to play again for the rest of the season. However, I am a quick healer and I am obviously delighted to be back. I would have hated to leave on a low going out injured.
”I was just determined to play. I was never going to leave without playing, even for the last few minutes of our final game.
”So it was great to get a chance on Saturday against Hearts. We were disappointed not to get a win but credit to Hearts for coming from behind not once but twice.
”They kept going at it but I felt we could have closed off the game a bit earlier by getting another goal, but it never happened and then their lad hit a wonder strike for the equaliser.
”I am no further forward with getting a new club and all I am concentrating on is playing here and we will see what happens at the end of the season.”
United have three games left this season, with an Old Firm double header being followed by the final match against Motherwell.
And although the Steelmen now look untouchable in the race for third place after their 1-0 victory over Hearts on Tuesday night, Kenneth insists the Tangerines are capable of pulling off three victories to test their nerve.
He said: ”If you are going to say ‘Well, we can maybe go and get a result against Rangers but we might not win against Celtic…’ well that’s not the way to win games. You have to be positive, like we have been all season, to pick up victories.
”The good thing for us is that we now have nothing to lose. We will go out, enjoy our football and hopefully pick up three wins.”
Kenneth’s boss Houston has already warned his players to expect a backlash from ”wounded animal” Rangers, who are still hurting after losing 3-0 in the final Old Firm game of the season on Sunday.
However, the centre-half insists the United squad are ready for the challenge ahead.
He said: ”I felt the scoreline was a wee bit harsh on Rangers. Admittedly, they didn’t create much but I think they are down to the bare bones and it was against a pumped-up Celtic side at Parkhead.
”But Rangers are still a massive club with good players and they will definitely be up for the game on Wednesday, as are we, so I reckon it will be a great match.
”Getting the club into Europe again would be great but we will just take it one game at a time.”
United have a full squad to choose from with the exception of Gunning.
Rangers have injury doubts over Lee McCulloch and Andy Little while Sasa Papac and skipper Steven Davis remain out with groin strains.
Kyle Lafferty continues to serve a two-week club suspension.