And he is backing caretaker boss Peter Houston and coach Gary Kirk to get the results that ensure they take over on a permanent basis.

“Craig Levein has gone and all the boys were a bit disappointed, but we understand it was too good a job for him to turn down, so last week we just wished him all the best and got on with things,” said Dixon.

“We all know Houstie and Gary well, so working with them has not been anything unusual for us and things have been normal.

“Like everyone else in the dressing-room, I am right behind Houstie and, if he gets the manager’s job, I will be delighted.”

And Dixon appreciates a good showing against in-form Rangers would be a big step towards that happening.

“It wouldn’t do him any harm and we’ll be going to Ibrox looking to get a result. Rangers have been doing very well, but we have done quite well against them in the last couple of seasons and we want that to continue.

“They did turn us over a bit at Tannadice a couple of weeks ago. That was a bad night for us, but one bad game does not change the fact we can be confident because of what’s happened before it.”

And, while United were held by Kilmarnock at Tannadice on Saturday, Dixon believes they can take heart from a clean sheet in that outing.

“We were disappointed not to win on Saturday, but, after the goals we’d given Rangers, it was important we got back to defending properly, and we did that.

“It was a clean sheet and one where I can’t remember Nicky Weaver having a save to make. That’s the way we have to play at Rangers.

“If we do, hopefully we can use the ball a bit better and get forward to cause them a few problems.”

United will welcome back Morgaro Gomis after suspension tonight, but the terms of his loan from Rangers mean Andy Webster can’t play.

And, while most of the midweek card has been decimated by Arctic weather that’s left car parks, roads and pavements near grounds unsafe, this game is not in doubt.

Rangers are eyeing the chance to open a seven-point gap on Celtic at the top of the table and will pull out all the stops to make sure they can do that.

United, meanwhile, are confident the New Year clash with Aberdeen at Tannadice will go ahead on Saturday and fans have been reminded that one is all-ticket.

Briefs will be available from the club shop until 4 pm tomorrow and again from 10 am on the morning of the game.

With Dundee United hosting Aberdeen at Tannadice on Saturday, it will now take place on Sunday, but the Dark Blues are hopeful of still attracting a big holiday crowd.

Melville interrupted a holiday in Switzerland to push the weekend change through and is urging fans to attend in big numbers and help maintain the commanding lead at the top of the First Division.

“The manager is a great believer in getting games played and that’s why I contacted Airdrie and the league to see if we could do this,” said Melville, on the line from St Moritz.

“They were both agreeable and, to their credit, saw the sense in trying to make sure we got the game on if it was at all possible and our undersoil heating should mean it is.

“Now what we need is for the fans to respond and come out and get behind the team for what is another very important game for us.

“We had a tremendous support up at Inverness last weekend, despite it being Boxing Day and freezing. Hopefully, this unexpected home fixture for the festive period will be appealing.

“I suppose what I am really saying to supporters is that it is your club and this is another opportunity to show how good your support is.”

Meanwhile, with the January transfer window now under 48 hours away, the Dark Blues are being linked with a string of names.

Aberdeen’s Charlie Mulgrew, Ryan Stevenson of Ayr and Falkirk’s Pedro Moutinho have all been listed as possible targets.

While, however, he is set to strengthen his squad, boss Jocky Scott was keen to stress today his focus is on ensuring the players already on the books continue their good work.

“We are going well and what is important to me is that the players continue in that vein,” said Jocky.

“Right now, I don’t have a list of targets or anything like that, but, if players, who I feel could be an asset to Dundee, became available, I might speak to them.”

Hamilton have been given permission to speak to Mickael Antoine-Curier about extending his loan at New Douglas Park to the end of the season.

The present arrangement ends at the weekend and, while there has been talk of other interest in the striker, only Accies boss Billy Reid has been on the line to Dens about him.