Dundee United midfielder John Rankin insists Sunday's Hampden heartache has only fired up the Taysiders for the next instalment of their four-game duel with Celtic.

The Hoops claimed a 2-0 victory in the QTS Scottish League Cup final.

The teams meet again for Wednesday's William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Parkhead but Rankin insists the Tannadice troops are not deflated after losing their second successive cup final.

He said: "We were all disappointed in the dressing room after the game on Sunday but we are professionals and we are paid to get on with it.

"We felt a bit hard done by at Hampden and there is now a determination amongst the squad to bounce back on Wednesday.

"We have got to go into this game with confidence because the performance we put in during the final as well as last week at Tannadice was really encouraging, especially considering we played for long spells a man down in both games.

"We will now go to Parkhead believing there is no reason why we can't get into the next round of the cup.

"We were not out-played at Hampden and that gives us confidence because we know that gap is not that big. It's just these fine margins you have to overcome.

"We believe we are due that first trophy as a group and that is bringing us closer together. Hopefully if we can just get that wee bit of luck we can get the win at Celtic Park."