It’s always a unique, tough test at Almondvale, though Gers have a good record there of late, winning on their last three visits.
The manager has been pleased too with how his men have started this campaign, winning their first three Scottish Premiership matches.
Speaking at today’s press conference, he said: "We welcome the battle. Different teams bring different styles throughout the course of a season, but we certainly welcome physical challenges and we need to be ready for that .
"We certainly don't have a problem with that so long as it in a fair way.
"Of course, we know it is going to be a battle and it is a battle that we are going to have to stand up to.
"I think what is important in these games is we deal with direct play at times and we win our first duels and we win our second duels, and positionally, we are in the right places to control the game.
"There will be moments and pockets of the game where the ball is not necessarily in our style, but we have to be capable of adapting within games to play different ways to get the right result.
"They are a good team - an organised team - and they try to take you out of your comfort zone.
"I think we got a real eye-opener in our first visit, which we lost 1-0. So we are under no illusions that it is going to be a real, tough game and a game we are going to have to be focused for and ready.
"But we are in a good place and it is down to us to go there fully prepared to win a war and win a battle before our quality can show."
The manager also confirmed defender Leon Balogan will miss the weekend match, and will make the call on which of Filip Helander or George Edmundson will start in his place closer to kick-off.
He added: "He won't be available for the weekend as he has a small quad problem. We are still waiting for some scan results to confirm that but he is certainly ruled-out for the weekend.
"We will pick the two best centre-backs we believe are capable of getting the right result.
"Connor is in excellent form and deserves to keep his place. I will make a decision on Fil and George in the coming days."