AFTER two solid performances Cowdenbeath face the supreme test this Saturday when they head for Ibrox to take on Championship title challengers Rangers.

It will be the first time that the Blue Brazil have taken on the ‘Gers on league duty in Glasgow in 43 years and on paper it is a really tough examination of this Cowdenbeath team.

But only a few weeks ago Alloa Athletic managed to earn a point at Ibrox so it is not necessarily a hopeless task. After having earned a win over Livingston in their last league game and fighting out a very tight cup-tie with Falkirk they will be wanting more of the same this weekend.

Cowden boss Jimmy Nicholl felt his team could and could have earned a replay with Falkirk at Westfield if they had repeated their first-half performance but he felt they were a little sloppy at the start of the second period. “We produced a reasonably good show at Falkirk I thought and could well have earned a replay,” he said.

“We set our stall out to try and avoid making any silly mistakes that could cost us goals and throughout the first-half we kept them to a few isolated chances and at the other end we got in a couple of really good efforts.

“We opened the second-half a little sloppily though and lost what proved to be the winner from a situation which saw them get the break of the ball.

“We came back well, though, and in the closing stages we did have the opportunities to earn a replay.” Out of all cups now the Blues can put their concentration fully on surviving in the Championship. Cowden have two very difficult games coming up against Rangers at Ibrox and then a home match against league leaders Hearts, before travelling to Dumfries.

“Every game in this league is tough and yes playing Rangers at Ibrox will be a real experience for the boys but getting the chance to play at a stadium like that will be great for them and we want to leave there having put on a really good show,” he added.

“But that does not mean we that we cannot get something from it and if we play as well as we did for long spells at Falkirk we will be in their competing.” Callum Gallagher will be missing again through his loan deal terms, as will Dean Brett; and Colin Marshall has a groin problem so the manager may well rely on most of the side which did so well at Falkirk.

Skipper John Armstrong is still some weeks away but with Marcus Fraser’s current loan deal coming to an end within the next few weeks, his services may soon be needed.