Dundee United boss Craig Levein has laughed off suggestions that Rangers' hectic schedule will hand his side an advantage on Sunday.The Gers will travel to Tannadice on the back of Thursday night's tense UEFA Cup draw with Sporting Lisbon but even though they endured yet another busy midweek Levein does not expect them to be heavy-legged by the time kick-off approaches.

Rangers have banked an impressive haul of 52 points from a possible 54 since losing to United in October and remain firmly in the hunt for four trophies this term.

United are eyeing a victory in order to keep their own European aspirations burning and Levein insists nobody at Tannadice will get complacent by thinking their opponents will be out on their feet. He said: "People have expected Rangers to come off the back of these European nights and struggle but it hasn't happened.

"The tally of points they have picked up since we beat them here at Tannadice is phenomenal and when you consider they have played so many midweek games it really is an amazing record.

"A lot of that will be down to Walter's level of experience.

"He knows what it takes to have a team in good condition for a Wednesday or Thursday away game in Europe and then be ready for the league match at the weekend.

"I'd bet they won't be training too much these days - it will be a case of going from game to game, warming up and warming down in order to preserve their energy.

"So we certainly won't be fooled into thinking they'll come here suffering any after-effects of the UEFA Cup match."

Levein did not watch the game on Thursday because he is confident that at this late stage of the campaign neither side are able to produce a surprise.

He added: "I didn't watch Rangers' game in Europe because I always feel that those sort of games do not bear any significance to how Sunday's game will go.

"Also, there are no surprises for either side now, especially at this stage of the season because I've seen them loads of times and I'm sure Walter Smith is the same."

United have a major doubt over defender Lee Wilkie, who has missed training with a dead leg, but Levein will give him until hours before kick-off to prove his fitness.

With Garry Kenneth and Danny Swanson suspended after receiving red cards against Hearts last weekend, Darren Dods and Jim O'Brien will come back into contention.

Levein said: "Lee's injury is causing me a bit of concern and I think if the game had been on Saturday he wouldn't have made it.

"But the extra day gives him a chance so we'll wait and see how he is before making a decision."

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