Blair Alston going for third career win as Falkirk player against Rangers this Sunday

Alston, 28, starred in respective 2-1 and 3-2 home Scottish Championship wins against the Gers in season 2015-2016, when two of his team-mates were current Falkirk co-managers David McCracken and Lee Miller.

"It’s one of those games where it goes without saying they’re going to be massive favourites,” Alston – who served Falkirk from 2010 to 2016 and rejoined the Bairns this year after spells at St Johnstone and Hamilton Accies – told the Falkirk Herald.

"You never know. It’s one of those where we need everything to go right for us.

"There are two leagues difference between us so we need them to have an off day and we need to play well.

"But there’s no reason why that can’t happen.

"I’ve been in teams before that have beaten them when we’ve probably been underdogs so that's what we need to try and do.

"I think it will be a really difficult game. It's going to be one of those where we’re probably not going to have much possession, it’s going to be about defending well and taking chances if they come.

"Progressing from the group stages was brilliant, now we’ve got a great game to look forward to and take our mind off the league a bit.

"It will be good to play in. It’s one of the games everyone wants to play, you want to play the best teams you can and at the moment they’re the best team in the country.

"So it will be a challenge for us but we’re looking forward to it and we’re going well so hopefully a good performance on Sunday as well.”

Alston underlined his own quality by curling home a spectacular 30-yard free-kick in the 33rd minute of Tuesday night’s 3-0 League One victory over Dumbarton at the C and G Systems Stadium, with the Bairns also scoring through Calumn Morrison and Aidan Connolly.

“It was good,” Alston said. “I’ve been quite lucky in my career, scored a few from far out in different games.

"But it’s been a long time coming since I’ve been back. I feel like I should have scored in almost every game I’ve played and not quite had yet so I’m delighted one’s finally gone in.

"Obviously it was a good time to get the goal and help us win the game.

"I caught it well. I knew when I hit it that it was going to be an awkward one for the keeper.

"Thankfully I think it dipped, moved and just flew in. I'd hit the bar just before it with one sort of similar where I’d hit it well and I thought it was going in so it was nice that this one hit the back of the net.”

The whole Falkirk team impressed for most of a win which took them to the top of League One, two points clear of second placed Cove Rangers who they beat 1-0 in the league last Saturday.

“We were good,” Alston said. “We were down here a couple of weeks ago and we did well that night as well but we knew they had a few boys out missing and they were back.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game but I think we started really brightly, obviously got a goal quite early too which is always good.

"I think we played some good football as well given how horrible it was (weather wise). Both teams probably struggled with how bad the pitch was.

"There’s not much you can do about the weather which has been horrible.

"It wasn't ideal but I think at the same time we played some nice stuff.

"I think we defended really well, scored a few good goals and had a clean sheet again.

"It’s a good three points. I think it’s still a bit early to worry about who is top of the league or second in the league. But we just need to start winning games.

"That's what we’ve done two in a row and hopefully there are more to come.”