Kevin Gallacher admits Dundee United cannot afford any passengers if they are to beat Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup final at Hampden.The former Terrors striker knows how difficult it is to beat either of the Old Firm clubs in a cup final at the national stadium.

The ex-Scotland player scored the opener in the 1988 Scottish Cup final against Celtic before the Parkhead side roared back to win by two late Frank McAvennie goals.

After losing three Scottish Cup finals to Celtic and one to Rangers, United did beat the Light Blues in the 1994 final.

However, Gallacher, who left Tayside to join Coventry in 1990, believes the current United team will need to be at their best if they are to replicate that achievement in Sunday's final.

He said: "It is very difficult to beat Celtic or Rangers in a final because history is on the side of the Old Firm.

"You are always the underdog and although we thought we could win against Celtic in 1988, when you only have 17,000 supporters in a 50,000-plus capacity stadium then you are up against it right away.

"Unfortunately we walked away without anything that day.

"I make Rangers favourites for Sunday. They are a very strong side and they could have a little bit too much for United.

"Craig Levein's players will be hoping that Rangers don't turn up and play the football that they can play.

"I know it is 11 versus 11 but all 11 United players have to play if they are to get a result.

"Rangers have so many individuals who can score goals so United have to stick together and stick to their 4-5-1 system because they have been doing well with that.

"If they are to win the cup they will have to be together, not just five or six players, the whole 11."

Both United and Rangers have games in midweek but Gallacher believes a UEFA Cup exit at the hands of Werder Bremen on Thursday could effect the Ibrox players more than their cup final opponents.

Walter Smith's side are 2-0 up from the first leg of their last-19 clash at Ibrox but still face a tough test to progress through to the quarter-finals.

Gallacher said: "United play Celtic on Wednesday but they have the extra day to prepare.

"Rangers have a big game against Werder Bremen and then they have to travel back from Germany.

"If they don't come back with a result they will be down and have a day less to recover.

"Psychologically, that could hurt the players."

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