Ferguson - can lift trophy.

By Gareth Friel

BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
	2pts Draw/Rangers HT/FT double result v Dundee Utd at 7/2 (Blue Square, Sky Bet).	Underdogs will be no pushovers and Rangers were level at the break in the semi.

The first major trophy of the domestic season will be handed out on Sunday when Rangers and Dundee United do battle at Hampden in the CIS Cup final.

As expected, Rangers are hot favourites and although it's tempting to see this as an easy win for the Ibrox club, United's draw at Celtic on Wednesday should provide a warning that they will be no pushovers.

Much will depend on the outcome of Rangers' tie with Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night - should they qualify for the last eight, it's hard to see them not taking that confidence into Sunday's final but should the Germans overcome the 2-0 deficit it could have a huge effect on Rangers' season.

Normally the CIS Cup would come low down on the list of priorities for the Old Firm but given that it's three years since Rangers last won a trophy, their worst run since the late 1960's, there should be no lack of motivation for the Rangers players.

United have already beaten Rangers this season, a 2-1 win back in October which in fact was the Gers' last domestic defeat as they march relentlessly towards the SPL title.

Given the possibility of extra-time on Thursday night in the Weserstadion against Bremen, it could take Rangers time to get going, just like in the semi-final against Hearts when Barry Ferguson scored out of nowhere to break the deadlock five minutes after the break.

United saw off Aberdeen 4-1 in the semi-final in a match that was also level at half-time and the 7/2 for Draw/Rangers in the half-time/full-time market looks appealing.

Of course, the danger is that United concede an early goal as Motherwell did the last time Rangers picked up a trophy as they were 2-0 down after nine minutes of the final of the same competition, eventually losing 5-1.

United will give it everything they have especially with chairman and lifelong fan Eddie Thompson seriously ill from cancer but the fact is they have lost their one player of genuine quality in Barry Robson to Celtic and it's hard to see where goals will come from against a solid Rangers defence.

We will back United to hold Rangers until the break but lose out to the better side over the 90 minutes.