After completing his move from Irish champions Shelbourne yesterday, the 23-year-old just wants to get down to establishing himself in United’s defence.

“With all that has been going on at their club with the manager being appointed, the focus is on them. It usually is anyway and I’m quite happy if people are looking at them and leaving me to concentrate on my job.

“If I am picked, it will be a great place for me to start and I’m looking forward to going there. I been outside Ibrox before, but I’ve never been in it, so it should be a good experience.”

Boss Craig Levein will decide overnight whether or not Dillon, who has not seen competitive action since November, is fit enough to start or should be on the bench, and the player will happily accept his new gaffer’s decision.

“It’s difficult to say how close I am to 100% match fitness. I feel I’ve done OK in training since I arrived, but I’ve definitely felt it a bit more than the other lads by the end of the sessions.

“I had three weeks off at the end of the season back home, but I trained on my own over Christmas and New Year — I’d usually do that anyway, but I was aware there was a chance I’d be coming and wanted to be ready to play.

“It’s not the same as training with a squad, but the gaffer has seen me over the past few days and I’ll trust his judgement. If he says I’m ready to start then I will have complete faith in him.”

And, for the manager, tomorrow is about ignoring the hype surrounding Walter Smith, reproducing the form shown in a win and a draw against Rangers already this season, and recovering from the pain of the last game — a defeat against Falkirk.

“A lot has been going on this week and this game has added significance for Rangers. That’s something we can’t concern ourselves with — our last game was a big disappointment because our form had been good before it and we have to focus on getting back to that form.”

And while his squad has been depleted by injuries to Christian Kalvenes and Steven Robb, and suspensions being served by skipper Barry Robson and defender Lee Mair, Craig is excited at the prospect of new signings Dillon and Jon Daly being in his squad.

Dillon looks a likely starter, while Daly and top scorer Noel Hunt are set to share a lone striker’s role.

“It’s good to have more options and, while it will probably be Jon or Noel up front, knowing I will be able to change things during the game is a luxury I haven’t had so far.

“The new boys will need time to settle, but, in some ways, starting with such a big game is probably easier because the emotion tends to be excitement about the occasion rather than fear.”

With incessant rain in Glasgow over the last few days, Rangers plan to hold a pitch inspection at 8.30 tomorrow morning.

Boss Alex Rae is keen to avoid putting too much pressure on the 25-year-old former Ranger, but having attracted the attention of a number of SPL clubs, there is no question he is the Dark Blues’ major transfer window capture.

“It’s not about No. 1 targets — we have a list of about 20 players we feel could do a good job for us and, in Paul and Kevin, we have brought in two of them,” said Alex.

“There are others we would like to get before the window closes, but it is fair to say Paul was high up on the list. He’s in the squad and, obviously, has a good chance of playing.”

On paper, McHale would appear to be a straight replacement for Alex, who is serving a one-game ban, but the gaffer did not see things that way.

“I would not read too much into the fact I am suspended, because I missed a game and then did not play in the midfield last week, so he will not be a straight replacement for me. I’ve few options and I’ll consider them all before I decide which way to go.”

Despite those notes of caution, there is no question of McHale not starting, and Sunderland teenager Smith is also being pencilled in for 90 minutes.

“Kevin has looked sharp in training and has a chance of making the team. We’ve brought him here to play and he’ll be involved.”

And, while victory tomorrow would make it nine points from nine against the Diamonds, Alex knows any reward his side gets will be hard earned.

“We beat them 1-0 at Dens not too long ago and should have won by more, but they still made it hard for us and, down there earlier this season, we were probably a bit lucky to win because we were not at our best.

“Tomorrow, I am looking for a performance, because I believe that’s what will be needed to get the points.”

Meanwhile, the Dark Blues may have added yet another face to their squad by tomorrow, although whether or not he, or any of his team-mates see action, could be in doubt.

The man in question is 20-year-old Rangers reserve striker Bob Davidson, who is on the verge of joining up on loan.

He is a player the manager knows well from his own time at Ibrox and, if the deal goes through, he will be added to the squad.

The biggest obstacle to Davidson, or any of the new signings being handed a debut, could be the weather.

Today, the New Broomfield pitch was waterlogged following days of heavy rain and there will be an initial inspection this evening.

With more downpours forecast for the next 24 hours, there has to be a serious doubt about the game going ahead.

And Livingston have an identical home record, winning only twice and drawing four times in the league. But the Livi Lions have lost five times at home in the league and Saints are out to make it six.

The Perth men are still without injured skipper Kevin James but may have Martin Hardie and Jason Scotland back.

Martin missed the Scottish Cup home divide against Ayr United and Jason was taken off injured at the interval in that game, but both have managed some training and may start.

If Martin plays, it will be the first time he’s lined up in the middle alongside Derek McInnes in a St Johnstone jersey.

Derek made his debut against Ayr and is set to be in the mix against Livingston.

Paul Sheerin will also take his place in the middle of the park for Saints. “Paul is very important for us. He’s a terrific player with a great football brain, and he’s having a good season,” said team boss Owen Coyle.

Paul has also been getting among the goals and is proving to be a valuable acquisition.

Saints drew 1-1 at Livingston earlier in the season and “We’re going there in a positive frame of mind,” Owen added.

Despite making umpteen inquiries, Owen has so far failed to add to his acquisition of McInnes but, with a number of targets being pursued, he’s ever-hopeful of making additions to his squad.

It may be, though, that no new fresh faces will be brought in prior to tomorrow’s match.