Dundee boss Paul Hartley thinks Rangers will still be dangerous

Dundee boss Paul Hartley doubts that Rangers will be affected by managerial uncertainty when they visit Dens Park on Sunday.

The Gers edged past Morton into the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup on Sunday, less than 48 hours after the shock departure of manager Mark Warburton and assistant David Weir.

Under-20s coach Graeme Murty is again preparing the team for Sunday's Premiership contest but Hartley is not convinced it is a good time to be facing Rangers.

"I don't know about that,'' he said. "I think when players get on to the pitch they focus on trying to win the game.

"Hopefully it's the reverse, that the change of manager has maybe affected them. But, being players, they will just want to go and play and try to win the game.

"Whatever team they put out, I'm sure they will be dangerous. We will work on a couple of systems they might play but personnel won't change too much.''

Alex McLeish is favourite to land the job but Rangers are still deciding whether to appoint an interim boss or make a more permanent appointment, and their desire to install a director of football could further delay matters.

Hartley played under McLeish after Walter Smith left Scotland during the Euro 2008 qualifiers and the national team came as close to qualifying as they have done during their long absence from a major finals.

"We'd a good time under Alex and some good results, obviously France away,'' Hartley said.

"If he's the man that they want in charge on a caretaker basis, then he is somebody that knows the club pretty well. He has been there before and under circumstances he managed to have a successful time there.

"But whatever manager is in charge, I don't think it's something we are too concerned about. Our concern is to try and get the best possible result for Dundee.''