COWDENBEATH’S big tie is but two days away and they tuned up for it in the best possible way by swamping Elgin City in the Highlands.

The 4-1 win at Elgin pushed Cowden into the top five of Ladbrokes League 2 for the first time this season and they are only three points behind fourth top Annan Athletic.

Cowdenbeath manager Gary Bollan was delighted with the result and performance in the Highlands and he is now prepared to let his players concentrate on the massive William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Rangers at Central Park this Friday night.

Since the draw was made he has been particularly keen to see his team pile up the points to back his hopes that he has a side that can make the promotion play-offs, and has been leaving the Cup match on the back burner.

But after Saturday’s great win at Elgin he is now looking to encourage his side to give Steven Gerrard’s men from the Premiership a hard time on Friday in the match which Premier Sport are broadcasting live.

He said: “This is a massive tie for the club in many ways but we had to look to collect as many points as we could before it for two main reasons.

“Firstly to get plenty of distance between ourselves and the teams at the foot of the table, and then to keep ourselves in with a chance of making the top four.

“So Saturday’s result was a really great way to prepare for the tie by pushing ourselves into the top half of the table and getting to within touching distance of the fourth placed team.”

He added: “I felt we played really well at Elgin creating some great chances and the finishing was excellent.

“But now we face a completely difference challenge. Playing a team with the quality of players that Rangers have is something we will try to meet head on.

“We have to keep basic errors to an absolute minimum and it is important we make Rangers have to work for goals.

“If we can keep it tight and maybe sneak a goal ourselves and give them something to think about, it could be an interesting tie.”

The former Rangers defender will have skipper David Marsh back available after missing out at Elgin through suspension and Jason Talbot is also free from suspension and with new striker Matt Henvey fixed up from Dundee for the rest of the season and front man Jordan Allan (pictured) having signed on until May Mr Bollan has a full squad available.

He said of his selection plans: “This is a game which the lads can learn a lot from and it is a big stage with the match being beamed live.

“So it is up to us to go out there put on a good show for our loyal supporters and we will be planning to make life as difficult as possible for Rangers.”

He may well stick with his attack force of David Cox, Jordan Allan and Kris Renton although he is likely to bring Marsh and Talbot back into the plans from a defensive point of view.

Meanwhile one player who will not be involved in the tie is defender Pat Scullion who has been released.