PARS boss Peter Grant has called on his team to be "positive and brave" as they head to Ibrox tomorrow (Friday) night.

Athletic make the trip to Govan to face Steven Gerrard's Scottish champions in the League Cup after making it through the group section to reach the knockout stages.

After going down 3-0 at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday, the Dunfermline boss is looking for his side to bounce back and show their potential.

"We know we have to play much better when we go to Ibrox on Friday night," he said. "People say you played there a long time, you played a lot of games at Ibrox, but nothing prepares you for it.

"As a player, you know you have got to go there and play well. That's one thing you have to do. You have to be positive, you have to be brave.

"You have to do all of these kind of things because you know you are playing against a good side. We are a good side when we play well but if we turn up like we did today (Saturday), it will be a very, very difficult night for us, that's for sure.

"It is a very tough venue to go to but we are really looking forward to it. You want to go and want to win the game. If you are wanting to be known as a big team, a big club and a big player, you have got to go and perform in the big arenas.

"It is a great opportunity for our boys to go and play and showcase themselves but they have got to play with a belief.

"We know it is going to be a fantastic arena to play in. We are really looking forward to it. You get an opportunity but you know you will have to play exceptionally well."

Grant is hoping the occasion will be one which brings out the best in his team.

"All the things they do in training, watching them in training, you think, wow, what a good team this is and what a good side this is.

"You look forward, you are excited at games. I come like a supporter looking forward to watching them play but that wasn't the team we saw today. We are hoping that team turns up next week because we have to.

"I have great confidence in these players when they play at their best but, unfortunately, you have got to fight and scratch as well when you have not got the ball and when you have got possession of the ball, you have to move it quicker. "

With Ryan Dow making a return from the bench on Saturday, Grant is expecting to have a full squad to pick from for the tie.

"I am delighted Ryan is back," he added. "Karen has been helping him really well since she came in and got him back on the training pitch. We had to put the brakes on him a little bit because he was desperate to get back for pre-season so Karen says no, that was not the right thing to do and she worked really hard with him.

"His attitude has been brilliant. He is a fantastic player and we are delighted to have him back and available again.

"We had a couple of guys carrying knocks prior to the match on Saturday so we just have to wait and see over the next few days. I am hoping we have everyone available come next week."