Jim Goodwin has vowed to make life difficult for Derek McInnes as Dundee United host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership opener on Friday night.
McInnes takes charge of Rangers for the first time competitively after being appointed from Hearts in the summer. Goodwin was not surprised by the move, saying: "Derek has been linked with the job numerous times over the years. I don't think it was a great surprise to see that he was involved in the recruitment process again when Danny Rohl left.
"Particularly on the great job he did at Hearts last season. It is a familiar face at Rangers. He doesn't need anyone telling him the significance of the job he has in hand now and what it means to the other half of Glasgow."
Rangers' summer spending
Rangers have been busy in the transfer window, signing Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Dan Neil, Ross McCrorie and Vanja Dragojevic. Deals for Olwethu Manhanya and Amario Cozier-Duberry are also in the works.
Goodwin acknowledged the investment: "There has been significant investment there in the playing squad. They have signed some familiar faces, guys who have done well here and know the leagues. There is not a settling in process for a lot of their squad. It will be interesting to see what their starting XI looks like on Friday night."
Preparation and fitness
Dundee United advanced from their Premier Sports Cup group despite a loss at Montrose, while Rangers have relied on friendlies. Goodwin believes both teams are equally prepared: "I think Rangers have faced some tough opposition in pre-season. Us, on the other hand, have played lower league opposition in the Premier Sports Cup.
"We probably have a different mindset, potentially. We might be in a better place in terms of the meaning of the Premier Sports Cup and us having to win our games. That is different from when you play a friendly. The opposition that Rangers have faced has been very good. A lot of the Premiership teams will use the Premier Sports Cup as part of their pre-season.
"I don't think we have an advantage having played the League Cup games compared to Rangers playing friendlies. It is a massive game for both teams. The new signings here will want to make a good impression on the Dundee United supporters and it will be no different at Rangers, I assume."
Tough run of fixtures
United face a challenging start: Rangers and Hearts in the league, Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup, followed by a Dundee derby. Goodwin said: "I don't think it comes much harder. It is really exciting for the group and the supporters to look forward to.
"I think there are no easy games in the Scottish Premiership. We all found that out last year. You are going to have to play everybody at one point or another. It gives us a really good idea of where we are, in terms of the teams around us. It is what it is, we have no control over the way the computer throws up the fixtures.
"These are the games that we have discussed with the signings we have made. These players have come to the country to be involved in these big games and to go and test themselves against the best team. They are games to enjoy, look forward to and not be nervous about."
