The defender is hoping the Light Blues can repeat the form which dumped Motherwell 2-0 in the Scottish Communities League Cup earlier this season.

And he reckons that win proved Rangers can hold their own against top-flight opposition – even though they crashed out in the next round to Inverness. Perry said: "Motherwell were flying at that time and top of the league so they came to us full of confidence.

"What happened then definitely shows that if we can play to our potential, we can be a match for anyone.

"I think Dundee United are a different kettle of fish from the teams we have faced so far in the Scottish Cup. They've got some really talented players so it is going to be tough, but we want to progress if we can."

The match has been largely overshadowed by the controversy over the decision by Rangers to refuse tickets for the clash.

Normally, the Ibrox outfit would have a travelling support of almost 6,000. But Perry is unfazed at the prospect of playing in front of an all-United stadium.

He told Rangers TV: "It will be unusual for us not to have any fans up there because any time we've been before it has been pretty apparent we've had the majority of supporters.

"It will probably be the first time I will have played a game without having anyone backing us. Once you're playing though, the fans don't come into it much.

"As a player, going out and winning a game of football is the only thing on your mind regardless of the circumstances. We just need to get on with the game."