Dundee United's Lukasz Zaluska will receive the best champagne by Artur Boruc if he manages to take the sparkle out of Rangers' title charge.The Polish pair are close friends from their time at Legia Warsaw and have maintained that relationship since Zaluska moved to Tannadice last summer.

Celtic goalkeeper Boruc attended last month's CIS Cup final against Rangers as Zaluska's guest and will anxiously watch on television on Sunday as Celtic look for Rangers, who take a six-point lead into the weekend, to slip up.

Zaluska's priority is to ensure United get points on the board to boost their standing in the race for Europe, but he would also love to do his friend a favour - especially as the offer of expensive bubbly is on the table.

He joked: "Artur has already phoned to remind me it is an important game not just for us and Rangers but also for Celtic.

"So, obviously, he wants me to keep a clean sheet and, if we can beat Rangers on Sunday, the next time we meet up he'll buy some very good champagne.

"Although Artur is my friend and I would like to help him if I can, getting points for Dundee United is the most important thing because we want to get into the UEFA Cup."

United were left heartbroken last month when Rangers won the CIS Cup on a penalty shootout but Zaluska insists they can channel their frustrations positively.

Craig Levein's players totally outplayed the Gers for long spells and twice took the lead but could not shut out deadly striker Kris Boyd - who also netted the winning penalty.

After having one hand on the trophy and losing, United's desire to finish third in the SPL has grown even stronger because of their Hampden experience.

Zaluska explained: "I still remember that game for the disappointment I felt at losing it.

"Now we really want to win this one for the supporters and get into Europe.

"To be honest, I was upset after the final because in normal time, extra-time and in the penalties we were in a position to win and didn't.

"If we had lost 3-0 or 4-0 then okay but we played better than them on the day and still unfortunately lost.

"It showed that football can be a very cruel game so now we want to put it right by beating Rangers."

Zaluska has never experienced UEFA Cup football before and he is desperate to get there with United.

He added: "If we win then we have a very big chance of playing in Europe next season.

"So far I've never played European football but I think I will do that with Dundee United next year.

"Scottish teams - Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen - have done well in Europe this season.

"It would be good for Dundee United to have that opportunity next year to test ourselves.

"That's what we're all aiming for and to achieve it would be wonderful for the club."

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