Peterhead captain Steven Noble believes his team can take confidence from their recent meetings with Rangers ahead of Sunday’s Petrofac Training Cup final against the Ibrox club.
The Blue Toon drew 2-2 with Rangers at Balmoor and famously won 2-1 in Glasgow during the Ibrox side’s season in the bottom tier three years ago.
The teams also met in the first round of the League Cup in August last year when Mark Warburton’s side eased to a 3-0 win thanks to goals from David Templeton, Kenny Miller and James Tavernier.
Rangers will start as favourites to win Sunday’s final, but Noble reckons Peterhead’s players will know exactly what to expect at Hampden.
He said: “There is possibly less of a fear-factor because we have played them a few times recently.
“It was good we played them this season as it is a totally different team from when we beat them at Ibrox.
“There are still a couple of players there from that day, but most of the personnel has changed and the style of play is different.
“Hopefully that will work in our favour as we should know what to expect.
“We know they play in a 4-3-3 formation and the two wide players like to hug the touchline.
“Hampden will suit them as it is a big pitch.
“I’m not saying it is an advantage, but I think it is helpful we have played them this season.
“We know they are a very good side with quality players on big wages. It is going to be a challenge for us, but you never know what can happen.”
Noble started his career as a youth player at Kilmarnock before joining Stranraer.
After five years at Stair Park, Noble joined Peterhead in 2012 and became the first captain in club history to lead the team to silverware when the Balmoor men clinched League 2 in 2014.
But Noble says beating Rangers at Hampden would be the highlight of his career.
The 27-year-old said: “This will be the biggest game I have played in. I actually have a bus load of people going to the game. After we won the semi-final, one of my friends put a post on Facebook to arrange something for the final and a lot of people showed interest.
“I have family, friends and work colleagues all going to the game – I think I have about 50 people in total.
“The only problem is all the tickets are coming out of my wages.
“I’m expecting no wages this month as I have ordered so many tickets through the club.
“But it is great to have so many people coming to watch and hopefully it will be a good day.”
