RANGERS fans chief Drew Roberton today hit back at talk that Dundee United supporters should fear for their safety at Ibrox next month.

The two clubs will meet in a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final on April 12, with tensions stoked up this week due to Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson's war of words with the SFA.

Thompson is unhappy that the last-four tie will be played at Ibrox and both he and boss Jackie McNamara have voiced their displeasure at the ticket allocation United will receive.

ArabTrust chairman Steven Hughes infuriated the Light Blue legions with comments yesterday that claimed fan safety was one of the 'biggest risks' and United supporters were 'nervous' regarding their safety at the stadium.

Rangers Supporters Association spokesman Roberton told SportTimes: "Everybody is entitled to their opinion, although it might not be one that is shared by many.

"If they don't want to come to Ibrox, that is entirely up to them. It will be more tickets for Rangers supporters if they don't turn up.

"I am not aware of any trouble between the Rangers and Dundee United fans and I don't see why there should be.

"Ill-advised comments like that are not needed. I think they should have given some thought to it before they made outrageous remarks like that."

Ibrox boss Ally McCoist has moved to play down the growing animosity between the clubs but there is likely to be a powderkeg atmosphere inside Ibrox as the SPFL League One champions and McNamara's side bid for a final berth against Aberdeen or St Johnstone.

Roberton said: "There was always a potential for this situation to happen when the venues were announced.

"Maybe people thought that Rangers, in their position, wouldn't get to this stage of the competition and it wouldn't be a problem.

"But there was always a possibility of Rangers being at Ibrox for the semi-final.

"They should have made a noise about it in October when this was announced."