IAN DURRANT admits that Sunday's Scottish Cup defeat to Dundee United was an unexpected blow following the impressive 4-0 league victory over Hibs on January 28.

But the club's first-team coach insists there is no time to dwell on this result as the light blues aim to maintain their title challenge at East End Park against Dunfermline on Saturday.

On Monday morning the coaching staff had a meeting with the Gers stars to discuss where things went wrong against the Arabs and since then the players have been working hard at the training ground in the build-up to yet another crucial fixture.

The Pars are currently sitting at the bottom of the SPL table with 17 points from 24 games and so far they have won four games on their travels but have yet to record a home victory.

Nevertheless, Durrant is expecting a tough 90 minutes albeit he is confident Rangers will be ready for the challenge.

He said: "Any team we put out on Sunday should have been good enough to beat Dundee United but we came up short in terms of the standards we want at the club.

"After a result like that everyone is hurting but it's done and we have to look forward.

"We've got to aim for the league now and we're currently one point behind with Celtic playing Hearts this midweek.

"So anything could happen there and we have to hope Hearts can do us a turn.

"But it's down to us, we need to put in the hard work and show what we can do.

"Our next game against Dunfermline is massive and we just have to get on with it.

"We have to work hard and roll the sleeves up.

"Every game is a challenge and I'm sure Dunfermline will look at our result against United and feel they will have a chance this weekend.

"Jim McIntyre always sets his teams set up well and they are disciplined.

"But our objective will be to go out and try to emulate the excellent 4-0 win we got there earlier in the season.

"I'm sure we can go out and do the business but we know it will be a very hard game."