MY gut instinct is that Rangers will get through today's play-off tie against Queen of the South.

But in the week Ladbrokes have just pumped £4 million into our game over the next two years, I wouldn't say the Ibrox side are a home banker.

I don't think you can be sure about anything they do any more. Everybody was sure they were going to win the Championship or at least push Hearts all the way, but in the end they finished 24 points back. On balance though, with their experience and professionalism, I expect them to get the job done and make it through to face Hibs in the semi-final.

It might just be a step too far for Queens this season, trailing 2-1 from the first leg at Palmerston. But next year or the year after, I can definitely see Queens being a Premiership club.

They have planned this. Two years ago the board were talking about it, having a four or five-year plan to get to the top flight. Soon they will be pushing all the way, because they won't have Hearts, Hibs or Rangers to handle.

Would they be an asset? Absolutely. You get a good fan base down there and when we got to the cup final they took around 15,000 fans with them. You would need to add four or five players but there is the nucleus of a good squad there who would probably do OK at Premiership level.

It certainly isn't the case that they have had their chance in this tie already, but what I would say is that they need everything to fall right for them at Ibrox today. They will have to get the first goal and put Rangers in a pressure situation where a goal either way puts a team through. It is going to be a big ask but they have proven this year they can beat Rangers by a couple of goals on two occasions. This group of Queens players have a real bond but it is going to take a monumental effort to knock Rangers out now.

Myself and Jim McIntyre brought James Fowler in as a player/coach because he was always a committed, 100% type of player, who brought his defensive mindset to Queens. It was a hard job for him to come and take over the reins because things were already on an upward curve. The question was could he keep it going, but he has.

They have plenty of quality in their team. Gavin Reilly, pictured, is a quiet lad, but he is a dangerous player who just wants to work and score goals. Kevin Holt has stature, physical presence and a few years of experience behind him at left-back. The old stalwarts in the middle are Andy Dowie and Chris Higgins, while Mark Durnan is a player you need to keep focused but if you do that you have a top player on your hands. In midfield, Ian McShane is a really good creative player, while wee Danny Carmichael on his day can give teams a hard time.

Rangers know Queens have to open up to try to win the game, and they could catch them at some stage. But it will definitely be a cagey start. Rangers will keep it nice and tight and try to score a goal from within that, because they have guys in their team who can get you a goal out of nowhere.

There is no doubt Stuart McCall has got something extra out of this team. I am not saying it is definite that they must go up for him to get the job, but if the Rangers directors are looking at it and they are still unsure, then getting them up would go a long way to help convince them he is the man for the long term.

THERE has been a furore over Willie Collum being awarded the Scottish Cup final. Yes, I think Willie would be the first to admit he has had a few bad games this season but he has reacted well.

If you are asking me who our best referee is in Scotland - and I mean by a country mile, the one which so many up-and-coming refs would want to aspire to - then I think Willie Collum is an absolute stick on. I am delighted he is getting the cup final.

ACCEPTING sponsorship from Ladbrokes at the same time as players are getting hammered for betting on matches is hypocrisy for me. You can't claim to be cracking down on gambling if you are happy to take their money.