Houston happy to let Gers appeal

Thomson was sent off during Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over St Mirren, but if Walter Smith appeals, the Scotland midfielder could be eligible to play at Tannadice.Ibrox assistant manager Ally McCoist has revealed they were considering lodging a challenge amid injury and suspension problems in midfield.And, with Scottish Football Association rules dictating that Rangers can appeal up to three days after the match, they could lodge the papers hours before the Tannadice kick-off.Terrors boss Peter Houston said: "If I was in the same situation I might well use it (the appeals procedure). The rules are there to be used."If they appeal it then they obviously think they've got a good chance. They're just using what has been put in place by the SFA so we'll have to wait and see."United were incensed with the two penalty awards which went against them in the first tie but Houston is happy with referee Dougie McDonald taking charge of the replay.He said: "The penalty decisions are over and done with. I was pleased with the character of our players to come back and earn a replay."I've said publicly that I regard Dougie McDonald as an honest referee. I don't expect any different from him so in my eyes he'll go and referee in a similar way."If he does that then I've got to trust his decisions will be good enough for both teams."With a semi-final against First Division Raith Rovers lying in wait for the winners, both teams have a superb chance of getting to the final.But Houston is not even contemplating what is beyond Wednesday's encounter.He added: "I don't look too far ahead. It's just one game at a time even though a lot of people have said it will be a great opportunity to get Raith Rovers in the next round."You can never think you're going to get an easy game against either half of the Old Firm in any competition."But if we do get through I'll be the first to speak about Raith after Wednesday's game."United have been drawn away from home in their past nine cup matches but now finally hope to make home advantage count."This will be our first home game in any cup competition this season so in that respect it's a bit of a novelty," Houston said."It's just nice to be at Tannadice. I really like playing in midweek games in front of the floodlights."I'm sure it will be a cracker. Rangers will come and have a go and so will we. Our fans have a big role to play. Their backing in the past few weeks, both home and away, has been magnificent."I'm looking for them to be our 12th man on the night, but we've got to do it from the start."Defender Paul Dixon is back fit but may not be risked."The reason is we've got three massive games inside the space of a week - Rangers, Motherwell and Hibs - and I wouldn't like to see him doing any more damage," Houston added. Dundee Utd v Rangers. Click here to bet.  

Source: Team_Talk