Defiant Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning couldn’t care less where he plays the William Hill Scottish Cup semi against Rangers.
The Tangerines will travel to the “neutral” venue of Ibrox to fight it out with the Light Blues for a final place against either St Johnstone or Aberdeen at Celtic Park on May 17.
The Irishman, who has been linked with a move to Ally McCoist’s side in the summer when his Tannadice contract ends, just shrugged his shoulders when asked if United should be concerned about lining up at their opponents’ ground.
“It is a great stadium and a great place to play,” he said.
“So we are not bothered. We would play anywhere. Personally, I have scored there before in the Scottish Cup so I’m quite happy.”
The goal in question was the opener in a 2-0 win for United in the fifth round of the Scottish in 2012, with Johnny Russell grabbing a second to seal the win.
Gunning feels United will also pass this latest Ibrox test but stressed there is no room for complacency.
The Light Blues’ devastating defeat to Raith Rovers in the Ramsdens Cup decider on Sunday has left many people the bookies included installing the Tangerines as firm favourites.
Gunning is confident United won’t disappoint their large travelling support but only if the players himself included up their game from what they produced against Celtic on Saturday, when they lost 2-0.
“I saw the Rangers result but I didn’t watch the game,” he added.
“Obviously, it wasn’t a good one for them but everyone has an off-game. For example, we were really poor in the first half against Celtic on Saturday.
“I would include myself in that and I don’t think anyone turned up for us, well not until the second half. You just get games like that during a season.
“I don’t think we were intimidated I don’t know what it was. We just didn’t turn up and gave them too much respect and they hurt us.
“It was my own fault at the first goal as I was caught in between trying to head the ball and volleying it clear. Somehow he (Georgios Samaras) wrapped his foot around me and stuck it in the top corner.
“It wasn’t the best defending. It was a tough one to take because we would have liked to have shown up a lot better against the champions.
“Gunning, going against the grain a bit, claimed that it would have been better for the Tangerines had Rangers lifted the Ramsdens.
Asked if Rovers’ 1-0 extra-time win at Easter Road had tipped the balance in United’s favour, Gunning replied: “I think it has for other people but I think we would probably have preferred it had Rangers beaten Raith.
“I say that because they will obviously be more up for this game knowing it is the only cup they have a chance of winning now.
“The Rangers lads are professionals so they just have to get on with it and focus on the next game.
“We are the same after our defeat. We got beat but it’s out of our heads now and we are looking forward to Saturday when hopefully we can get the result that puts us into the final.”
It was put to Gunning that if United can produce the forceful attacking football they have done throughout the season then they will triumph.
He replied: “That should be (the case) because we have a really good squad full of really good players. You would like to think that if we turn up and do our stuff then we will win.
“It is mentioned that we have a young team but I wouldn’t say we have young, young players if that makes sense!
“What I mean by that is that they have experienced a lot now. If you look at our team against Celtic, for example, you can pick out Andy Robertson who is young at only 20 but has achieved a lot this season and has played at Ibrox a few times before (with Queen’s Park).”
Gunning is likely to come up against former Tangerines captain Jon Daly, someone who will receive the utmost respect from his fellow Irishman.
“Jon just lives around the corner from me so I do see him a fair bit but I won’t be speaking to him about the game,” said Gunning.
“He is a big strong boy who is great in the air while also being underrated on the ground as he has a good touch for a big fella He is not going to run away from me but he has good control.”
While some United fans will be looking for their team to go for the Gers’ jugular on Saturday, Gunning urged them to bid their time if need be.
“I think the fans will have to be patient and realise we are always trying to do the right thing,” he said.
“Sometimes they do expect too much but that’s our fault for going on the runs we have been on!
“At the weekend you heard moans and groans but they pay their money so you expect that.
“It’s hard as a player because you know when you are having a bad game. You don’t need someone in the crowd to shout and tell you. They pay their money, though, so they can do what they want.”
Gunning would not be drawn on a possible move to Rangers once the dust settles on the season.
He said: “I am still undecided about what’s happening in the future. I am still waiting to see how it goes.”