Jim Jefferies has revealed Dunfermline will treat the match against Rangers as a bonus game.
Jefferies’ thinking is the Pars go into the match against the runaway League One leaders with no pressure on them, and anything they do get can be considered a welcome extra.
The Light Blues boast a 100% record in the league so far and many are tipping them to go through the season without dropping any points.
The East End Park men will be doing their best to scupper that and will be freed up by their manager to have a go.
“I have spoken to the lads and told them that we won’t be going to Ibrox to park the bus,” said Jefferies, confirming it will not be all-out defence from his players.
“We have to be well disciplined, of course, and I will be tweaking one or two things that will see one or two of players doing things differently to what they are used to.
“Overall, though, we will be looking to attack Rangers because you just can’t look to hold on for 90 minutes under pressure.
“I believe we can go out and express ourselves because really, when you look at this match, it is a bonus game for us.
“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There will be no pressure on us and, for the first time this season probably, we won’t be favourites going into a league game. Maybe that can help us.
“Rangers have a wealth of experience in their side but I feel that a confident, disciplined performance from my players can see us take something from the game.
“It is a great one for our players to look forward to and I have told them to go out and give a good account of themselves.”
There is a major doubt over Dunfermline’s Ryan Thomson, while Ian Black will return for Rangers.
With both clubs have recently suffered off-field trauma, with Dunfermline the subject of a takeover by fans group Pars United, Ibrox boss Ally McCoist empathised with what the Fifers have experienced.
McCoist said: “We have an enormous amount of sympathy for Dunfermline and what they have gone through.
“We know exactly what the club, its supporters and staff have gone through.
“They hopefully look as though they are coming out the other end as well and a lot of that is down to the backing they have received from their supporters, similar to the backing we received from our supporters.
“There are many similarities at the moment. It was a top-flight fixture not so long ago.
“They have a relatively inexperienced side but what they lose in experience on the park, they certainly make up for in experience off the park with their manager Jim Jefferies.”
Meanwhile, McCoist has hailed Lee Wallace as an inspiration to other players at Rangers after the left-back was again named in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad.
He said: “Lee Wallace has been absolutely first class for us since his move from Hearts. We have been delighted with him on and off the park.
“He has maintained a level of consistent performance which we are thrilled about and we are equally thrilled that Gordon has him in his Scotland squad.
“He is an example for all of our players and probably lower-league players too.”