The sand dunes at Gullane are now but a sepia-tinted memory. Ice baths, compression garments and truckloads of pasta are on the menu as Rangers seek to conserve their energy for the last leg of a marathon season. The Ibrox club have immersed themselves in the latest sports science techniques and hope that the benefits continue for the next few weeks as they seek to close out a potentially history-making season.

Adam Owen is the hub of the club's sports science department and has revolutionised their approach to preparation and recovery time. The 28-year-old was recommended by Kenny McDowall, the Rangers first team coach, who worked alongside him at rivals Celtic.

Owen enjoyed a modest playing career north and south of the border, before moving into coaching at Parkhead, Sheffield Wednesday and then his current sports science role at Murray Park.

"He Owen has made a big difference," said Walter Smith, the Rangers manager. "In the last few games we have been finishing strongly and that's a testimony to the work he put in, especially in the early part of the season. We've had to cut back on our training because of the number of matches we have, but the work he did in the early part of the season has been fantastic.

"Kenny McDowall worked with Adam before and had no hesitation in recommending him. It's been interesting from my own point of view, in comparison to how we did it a few years ago. We used to do a lot more running in pre-season training. They now do far shorter runs and they tell me that it gets the same benefit. At this stage, if we weren't in the physical condition we were in then we would be showing the signs."

Owen's sports science revolution has been hastened by his ability to integrate into the dressing room. At 28, he is a contemporary of most of the players and has found willing converts to his gospel. Steven Whittaker, the Rangers midfielder, praised the contribution of Owen. "Adam's a great lad, he's always encouraging us to eat and drink the right stuff at the right times. He has travelled to different clubs to see the way they do it as well.

"Even when you want to chill out he is stuffing food like pasta, and juice in your face. It's all for your benefit, though. Sports science is always developing, even from when I started until now. There's lots of things you can do. I try and eat after every game, and we get compression garments and ice baths as well. Hopefully all these bits and pieces will come together to make us stronger."

Rangers' training sessions are now structured and delivered by McDowall, assistant manager Ally McCoist and Owen. If the latter has helped to maintain the players' energy levels, then the McCoist and McDowall combination has helped keep the dressing room buoyant during this most arduous of seasons.

"This year, not only did we have a lot of new players, but the entire backroom staff has changed as well," added Smith. "Ally, Kenny and Adam have done all the training this year. I do most of the team shaping and team talks. It's interesting to see how they go about it - in a totally different way from I did previously.

It works.

"Both Ally and Kenny have worked extremely hard to create a good atmosphere on the training ground. That helps a great deal in terms of how we have handled this situation we are in. There is a good feeling in our camp overall and that is due to the work that they do.

"They, more than myself or anyone else, have created an environment where people want to come in and work. That's been reflected in the way we have handled the games over the season. It's quite remarkable that they have done that in such a short space of time."

Rangers take on Dundee United at Ibrox this lunchtime seeking to pick up another three points after their 1-0 victory over Motherwell at Ibrox on Wednesday night. Barry Ferguson's second-half strike proved the difference between the sides and Smith was pleased with the performance. "We showed a good reaction the other night and managed to get a goal. The crowd play a big part at this stage of the season and that was apparent the other night when they got behind the team in the second half.

"There was a tremendous atmosphere and that helps all the players. We had a far better second half in terms of pressure and chances."

Against Motherwell, Rangers eschewed their usual 4-5-1 in favour of starting with two strikers, Kris Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville, supplemented by Nacho Novo on the wing. Smith insisted that their style has not been as negative this season as it has been portrayed.

"The aspect about how Rangers play has grown arms and legs," said Smith. "For the majority of the SPL games we have played this season we have used two and sometimes three strikers. It was only recently that Celtic scored four against Motherwell to have scored more goals than us. Before that we were the team in the league who had scored most goals and you can't tell me you can do that with no strikers."

In his first full season since returning to the club, Smith has already won one trophy and could pick up another three. His achievements of this season earned him the Scottish Football Writers Manager of the Year award.

"It's always nice to get an award," he said. "I've won it before but it probably means even more now than previously. Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, it will have been a notable one for us and when you do get recognition for that it is nice."