A couple more long-range efforts from Rangers fail to break the deadlock. First, Haris Vuckic fires straight at goalkeeper David McGurn then Lee Wallace powers into the penalty box but finishes like the full-back heis, with his effort trundling wide of the back post.

Rangers are ramping up the pressure and Kris Boyd lays the ball into the path of Nicky Clark and his low drive from 18 yards skims wide.

Another Rangers set-piece, another chance with a header. It is Nicky Law's turn to float in a free-kick and Sebastien Faure, the hero at the other end a couple of minutes ago, heads powerfully but wide from 14 yards.

Nicky Clark rises at the back post to meet a clever chipped free-kick from Haris Vuckic, but it skims off the Rangers striker's head and wide.

Marius Zaliukas is a shadow of the player who came to prominence with Hearts and the defender is heading fresh air as he hands Rovers a great chance. Fortunately for the Lithuania international, Sebastien Faure slides in to block Mark Stewart's attempted shot from just inside the penalty box.

Kris Boyd goes mighty close to giving Rangers the lead as he leans back to meet a Lee Wallace cross and the striker's header clips the top of the bar from 12 yards.

Rangers have the first shot on goal, but Nicky Clark's powerful first-time effort flies a couple of feet over the crossbar. There appeared to be a deflection, but the referee gives a goal kick.

I'm predicting a few robust challenges as former Hearts striker Christian Nade clashes with Rangers defender Lee McCulloch. Rock or scissors? Which will come out on top?

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson is pointing out on BBC Radio Scotland that Haris Vuckic, on loan from Newcastle United, and Nicky Law are being deployed on the wings by Kenny McDowall when both would prefer to be playing through the middle. Much about this Rangers team seems lop-sided at the moment.

Rangers kick off at Stark's Park against a Raith Rovers side who are unchanged, apart from being in their white change strip, given their recent excellent form.

New Raith Rovers chairman Alan Young has been telling BBC Radio Scotland that despite selling about 1,000 tickets directly to Rangers fans and the Ibrox club taking some themselves, some were sent back to the Kirkcaldy outfit, so it won't be a sell out.

"It is great to have Rangers, Hibs and Hearts here, but moving to a Friday night does cost in terms of gate and corporate hospitality," he said, stressing that live television coverage has its downside.

Robert Ryan: "Must say that Lee McCulloch returning and replacing our arguably second best player this season in McGregor is a disgrace."

bringthemonjpn: "All about motivation tonight, and goals. Rangers will be out of the start gate early."

"The first goal is very important to Rangers. Recently, Rangers have had to chase games and that's when you lose your shape and discipline."

"When opposition play Rangers just now, they smell blood and are having a go at them. Raith Rovers did it a couple of weeks ago and will be in their faces again."

Tom English
BBC Scotland

"There's an excuse making culture and a moping culture in this Rangers team and their manager. They need to give themselves a shake."

Meanwhile, Rovers sit sixth in the Championship table, six points behind Falkirk but with a game in hand, and really need a victory if they are to revive their own hopes of making the promotion play-offs.

Talking of off-field problems, there's no place for Steve Simonsen in goal for Rangers despite the Englishman being available again after his ban for breaching gambling rules. Simonsen finds himself on the bench, with Lee Robinson continuing between the sticks.

Gordon Durie was admitting there that Rangers' troubles off the park, with an extraordinary general meeting having been called where shareholder Dave King hopes to force out the current board, has filtered into the dressing-room.

It is a chaotic atmosphere that has spilled on to the pitch, with Kenny McDowall having the air of a lame duck manager, having already announced, like predecessor Ally McCoist, that he intends to leave the club at the end of his 12-month rolling contract.

"There's pressure on every game. We've been disappointing in the last few games.

"There were positives last week and hopefully we take them into tonight and get a result.

"Raith came to Ibrox a few weeks ago and deserved their win.

"They looked as if they wanted it more than us, which was disappointing.

"We've got a chance tonight to right that and hopefully we can do that."

"We realise it is a big game tonight. Rangers lost last Friday and will look to get back to winning ways.

"The Cup game will have no bearing on tonight, although we have been using it as a confidence booster.

"Since December here against Hibs, we are unbeaten and we have to work as hard as we can to maintain that.

"We have to be looking to win games like tonight if we want to be involved in the play-offs as Falkirk and Queen of the South are above us."