Jack looks forward to Scottish Cup tie

Jan 10 2009 by David Rinaldi, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN defender Jack Ross is hoping a change of scenery will inspire his Buddies to victory in the Scottish Cup clash with Brechin City.

Ross is a firm believer in the view that variety is the spice of life and he is relishing the cup tie, which has been rearranged for Tuesday evening following today's cancellation because of the weather.

The 32-year-old full-back admits Brechin’s Glebe Park venue will be quite a change from the shiny SPL stadiums that Saints are used to playing in but he’s confident the occasion will inspire the Paisley men.

Ross said: “It’s nice for us to have a change of scenery as we’ve had a hard run of games and I always look to avoid a SPL team in the early rounds of the cup as we play each other so often anyway.

“There are six or seven ties this weekend where you can see potential shocks and there probably will be shocks somewhere.

“Brechin are up near the top of their division and they’re a good side, so it’s fair to say it’s a potential banana skin for us but, hopefully, it won’t be.”

Ross will revisit the scene of one of his most bittersweet moments in football when he takes to the field at Glebe Park for the fourth round tie.

He was starring for Clyde in 2004 and they were very much still in the hunt for the First Division title when they travelled to Brechin on the final day of the campaign.

The Bully Wee had to take all three points at Glebe Park against the Hedgemen and hope that rivals Inverness Caley Thistle slipped up at home to St Johnstone.

It was to prove to be an agonising afternoon for Ross and his Broadwood team-mates.

At half-time, they were on course to be crowned champions as the Caley Jags were being held by the Perth Saints.

However, their title aspirations were ended after two second half goals for Inverness meant the Highlanders pipped them to the title, despite a 5-2 win over Brechin.

Ross could be forgiven if he was keen to avoid a return to a venue that caused so much heartbreak but that couldn’t be further from the case.

He said: “My last game for Clyde was at Brechin and we won 5-2 but got pipped to the title by Inverness.

“There was mixed emotions because we won the game but it was ultimately disappointing because we lost the title.

“I’ve played up there a few times and the results have been okay. The atmosphere will be decent for this cup tie and we’ll take a healthy support up there.”

Ross admits he expects Brechin’s players to have taken a lift from the appointment of Jim Duffy as the Second Division outfit’s new manager yesterday.

The former Morton, Hibs and Dundee gaffer will be in the home dugout after being appointed as the replacement for Michael O’Neill, who quit to take over at Irish club Shamrock Rovers last month.

Ross said: “At any level, whether it’s the SPL or the Third Division, everybody is keen to impress when a new manager comes in.

“For the players that weren’t getting a game, it’s a chance to start with a clean slate and they will get a boost.

“It’s also a chance for them to test themselves against a SPL team and there’s no pressure on them – the pressure is on us.”