From the Daily Record : Scottish Cup trip to Gayfield.. even we don't like playing there
Rangers will hate it at Gayfield. It's our home ground and even WE don't like playing there
BRIAN KERR insists Rangers won't know what's hit them when they go to crumbling Gayfield for their Scottish Cup clash.
Ally McCoist's men are steeling themselves for a trip into the unknown when they head to the Angus outpost for a potential banana skin fourth-round tie early in the new year.
Second Division Arbroath are rubbing their hands at the prospect of facing the Ibrox men at their tiny Gayfield ground which is situated right off the North Sea and notorious for its high winds.
And former Newcastle, Hibs and Motherwell ace Kerr reckons Light Blues stars such as Nikica Jelavic will be in for a culture shock when they go head-to-head with Paul Sheerin's part-timers.
Kerr said: "It will be totally different to some of the nice places Rangers play at. To be honest, even some of us don't relish playing there in the depths of winter!
"It can be cold and windy to say the least which can make it pretty tough. I recall there was even a Scottish Cup game with Motherwell postponed some years ago due to the gale-force winds.
"But there's nothing anyone can do to change the circumstances and hopefully we can use the elements in our favour. There will be a full house and anything can happen, it's a one-off cup tie after all.
"The Arbroath fans are right on top of the pitch and they will lap up this occasion to the full. It's not often you have a quality team like Rangers coming to Gayfield. It's fair to say it will be a bit of a culture shock for some of their players."
Kerr, 30, has revealed how he was swamped with ticket requests in the wake of being paired with the Ibrox outfit.
He added: "Within seconds of the draw being made my phone was ringing off the hook.
"I've had loads of people ringing, it's been mental. I'll need to see if I can get more than my usual two complimentary tickets because this one is special for obvious reasons!
"The whole town is buzzing with the prospect of Rangers coming to Gayfield and I'm sure the board will be chuffed from a financial point of view."
The Lichties are currently riding high in the Second Division - just behind leaders Cowdenbeath following promotion last term.
Sheerin's men have been scoring for fun and are vowing not to be lambs to the slaughter on the big day.
Kerr, who's been instrumental in their fine form after signing in the summer, said: "All the pressure will be on Rangers. We've nothing to lose as nobody really expects us to do much.
"We've been playing well and have players like Gavin Swankie, Stuart Malcolm and Josh Falkingham who could all be playing at a higher level.
"If Rangers play to their full potential then obviously there's only going to be one winner but cup shocks have happened in the past.
"We're thrilled to have a glamour tie - we'll be raring to go on the day and give a good account of ourselves."