David McCracken, the Falkirk defender, hopes that his team-mates will not be "overawed" by the challenge of playing at Ibrox as they seek finally to overcome Rangers.
The sides have met three times in the last 12 months - with all matches taking place in Falkirk - and on each occasion it has been the Glasgow side which has emerged victorious.
However, on each occasion Falkirk have finished the game with a sense of injustice, having pushed their opponents all the way and enjoyed long spells as the better team, before succumbing to defeat. Having hosted the last three encounters, Falkirk will be heading for Govan for only the second time in five years, ensuring it will be a new experience for a host of their players.
Only Craig Sibbald and Blair Alston survive from the last time the team ventured to Ibrox - a 3-0 defeat in August 2012 - while the former Rangers striker Rory Loy only ever played there once. The likes of Joe Shaughnessy, Alex Cooper and Tom Taiwo will be making their debuts at the stadium today, despite having also played higher up Scottish football's league ladder.
McCracken, who alongside goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald will be the most experienced of Falkirk's side this afternoon, has a simple message to his colleagues. He wants them each to simply take the occasion in their stride.
"We've played Rangers now a few times over the course of this season, plus at the end of last season, but it will be the first time for a few of the boys playing at Ibrox and that changes the challenge," said the 33-year-old. "We're confident in the way we're playing just now and we've got to take that into our performance and show what we've got.
"It's a great game to play in, it's a great stadium and so on. The boys are excited about it. It's the kind of game you want to play in, against a big club in a big stadium, and you need to make sure you're not overawed by it."
Falkirk will be buoyed by their 6-0 thrashing of Cowdenbeath on their last league outing a fortnight ago, but also by running Rangers very close earlier this season in a 2-0 defeat by Rangers in August. Falkirk lost 3-1 against Rangers in the League Cup a month later.
The only numbers which will matter to Scott Shepherd, however, is the date on his contract after the teenager yesterday signed an extension which will tie him to the club until 2017. At 18, the Falkirk striker is eager to cap his week by featuring for his side at Ibrox this afternoon.
"When I got called in and got offered the contract I was over the moon. I'm just delighted I'm going to be playing here for a lot longer now," said Shepherd, who has already made 28 first-team appearances for the Championship club. "Falkirk's the right place for any young boy to develop. You've a great opportunity. Fingers crossed I can play at Ibrox on Saturday."
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