[DavidMc]

View of ex-Rangers and Dundee United striker Billy Dodds

Rangers will start as strong favourites and, while I think they should just edge home, it promises to be a really tight contest.

There may be 22 points separating the sides in the Premier League but they have shared the spoils with a win each this season and I wouldn't be surprised to see this game go all the way to extra-time.

Walter Smith and Craig Levein are similar managers in that they both made a strong defence their top priority when taking over.


Smith pulled off a masterstroke bringing David Weir to Ibrox in the twilight of his career and Carlos Cuellar has been really impressive in his first season in Scotland.

Together they have forged a great partnership and, since another old warhorse, Christian Dailly, has been drafted in, the league leaders look even more secure.

My former Scotland team-mate Dailly is a bit of a United legend, having helped them win the Scottish Cup back in 1994, but he'll be out to put one over on his old team.

Levein also has a formidable pair of central defenders in Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods, so it will be a tough afternoon for the forwards.

Dods was rested for Wednesday's draw at Celtic Park, as were a few others, but to keep a clean-sheet in that game shows how resolute United can be.

I think Rangers will opt for a 4-5-1 formation, with Dailly joining skipper Barry Ferguson and Steven Davis in the middle of the park.

United should have a central trio of Mark Kerr, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis and Walter Smith will want not want to be outnumbered in such a vital area.

Kerr does a great sitting job, while Buaben and Gomis are both neat and tidy players.

It will be congested in midfield and that will make it important for the wide men to make an impact.

Rangers will miss the suspended Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam, while Steven Naismith is cup-tied.

That only really leaves Chris Burke and Lee McCulloch, although Steven Whittaker could push up from his usual full-back slot.

United will miss the influence of former skipper Barry Robson, he gave them great drive and energy and was always a threat from set-pieces.

But Noel Hunt has been scoring for fun this season and David Robertson is a player I like.

Rangers will be hoping Jean-Claude Darcheville is fit to lead the line since his pace and power can be a real handful but having a prolific scorer like Kris Boyd ready to step in show just how strong they are.

Much has been made of United chairman Eddie Thompson's poor health, with a lot of talk about this being his final.

Levein and his players were emotional after their fantastic 4-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen but players don't need any extra motivation before a cup final.

It promises to be a titanic tussle between two very clever managers.