Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes his side have a good chance of Scottish Cup progress after earning a 3-3 quarter-final draw with Rangers.

"With the players we have, anything can happen," Houston told BBC Radio Scotland, having seen United hit back after trailing 3-1 at Ibrox.

"We score goals at Tannadice, we attack teams and always have a go.

"I'm very proud of the players. At 3-1 down you could say you're beat but that's the spirit we have."

With a place in the last four at stake, the teams will meet again in Tayside on 24 March to settle the tie.

"I've got great respect for Rangers; they are a fantastic team, but we can beat anyone at Tannadice," added a delighted Houston.

Dundee United opened the scoring at Ibrox with a goal from Andis Shala but fell behind to two first-half penalties from Kris Boyd and a Nacho Novo strike early in the second half.

Houston's side salvaged a replay thanks to a Steven Whittaker own goal and Mihael Kovacevic's late header.

"That's the spirit that has taken us to third in the league and keeps us in the draw for the Scottish Cup," continued the manager in praise of his side.

"Rangers don't normally lose a lot of goals and if you come to a place like Ibrox and score three goals you expect to win.

"We had to go for it and when the equaliser came, we had Francisco Sandaza, Andis Shala and Jon Daly on. If I'd had another three subs, they'd have been off!

"Mihael Kovacevic is not meant to be up for the corners but I said 'up you go, son'. He scored with the head, and the one thing Mihael Kovacevic doesn't do is score with the head."

Given United are still in the tournament, Houston was not overly critical of referee Dougie McDonald for awarding two spot-kicks to the home side, although he took issue with both decisions.

The first came as Kenny Miller tried to round goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, while the second was given for the slightest contact on Boyd.

"The second one, if it is a penalty kick, I thought was really soft," explained Houston.

"I thought there was a foul on Danny Swanson, Rangers countered-attacked and Sean Dillon perhaps should have been a bit more tucked in and he's touched him and he's gone down.

"But these things happen. I've said to Dougie I didn't think the first one was a penalty either and he'll phone me once he looks at it himself."

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