Ally McCoist says home match does not make Rangers favourites to beat Dundee United

Rangers boss Ally McCoist does not believe his team will be favourites in their Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United just because they will be running out in familiar surroundings.

McCoist appreciates why the Ibrox venue has become a controversial one but insisted the April 12 tie is not loaded in the Light Blues’ favour.

He said: “I can totally understand some of the points put up but at the same time the decision has been made.

“I just think that in the modern day there is less advantage to home teams the higher up the ladder you go because a lot of top teams enjoy going away from home because it brings the opposition on to them.

“But I do take on board we are playing a semi-final at Ibrox and that is not to everyone’s cup of tea.

“The decision to play the game there was taken very early on but I think the obvious thing to do is to stick by it.

“At the start of the season we’d have played a semi-final anywhere. Just to have the opportunity is fantastic but we have the bonus that the decision was made to play it at our home ground.

“But it will only be an advantage if we win the game.”