Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo has had a pop at the SPFL for not making the play-offs an equal contest for all involved.
The Premiership team only taking part in the final already hands them a major advantage.
And Csaba is unhappy bookings accrued during the league campaign are not wiped clean for the post-season ties.
He has three players – Willo Flood, Jamie Robson and Jordie Briels – one yellow away from single-game suspensions.
It means they’re likely to sit out today’s home clash against Livingston because bookings would see them miss the first game of the final, should United go that far.
Likewise, if they’re booked in either of next week’s quarter-finals against Dunfermline or Inverness Caley Thistle, they would miss one of the final clashes.
“I am not very happy about the rules you have in the play-offs because you take the yellow cards into them,” he said.
“I have three players who are close to having a one-game suspension and I think the other (Championship) teams have this as well.
“Generally, you go into games like this and you have to put everything to one side.
“My opinion is always it is better that everybody has the same position and same possibility.
“We have to accept this rule and we have to go again now like last season and try to go through this process.”
Concerns over fitness will be also be a factor in the team selection.
Defender Mark Durnan is still injured, while winger Paul McMullan won’t be used because of a groin problem.
Csaba is hopeful both will be available on Tuesday night.
“McMullan has a groin problem from Brechin last week. He could be OK for next week, but for this one we will take no risks.
“Mark Durnan isn’t OK for today but he also could be OK Tuesday.”
United go in against Livi on the back of a poor showing in last week’s 3-0 defeat at Queen of the South.
Normally Csaba hasn’t made excuses for defeats, but on this occasion is willing to forgive and forget.
He said: “I was disappointed with the result against Queen of the South but, to be honest, the team felt they’d reached the play-offs and mentally and physically they were a bit down.”
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