Sleepless nights ahead for Potter

Apr 23 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN skipper John Potter reckons his Buddies will barely get a wink of sleep between now and Saturday morning as they nervously await the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Rangers.

Potter is one of several Saints stars sweating over their place in Gus MacPherson’s starting line-up for the glamour game at Hampden.

The big defender missed last weekend’s 2-0 SPL win over Motherwell at Fir Park because he had a one-match suspension to serve.

Will Haining produced an impressive performance against the Steelmen after being drafted in as a replacement and Potter knows he isn’t guaranteed to be handed a recall for the big match against Rangers at the national stadium.

“I imagine there will probably be some sleepless nights for a lot of us before Saturday comes around,” said Potter.

“We will be training over the next few days and the manager doesn’t usually name his team until the Saturday morning, so I think that’s when we’ll find out who is playing and who isn’t.

“Will did very well defensively against Motherwell. In fact, the whole team did well, but it will be up to the manager to make a decision on what the team is going to be for this Saturday’s game.

“Everyone in the squad wants to be involved but we’ll just have to wait to see what happens.

“We’ll all have to train hard between now and Saturday and everybody will be doing the same thing – trying to get into the starting line-up.”

Potter has never played at Hampden before but he’s aiming to make a successful debut there if selected.

The 29-year-old centre-half - speaking to Express Sports as he gave his support to the NSPCC’s ChildLine World Footie tournament which will take place in June - said: “It’s a big opportunity because there aren’t many of us who have played there before and gone on to win the Scottish Cup, except for Jim Hamilton, who won it 12 years ago with Hearts.

“Saturday will be a day to look forward to.

“Days like that don’t come around too often, so we’ll have to take the chance while it’s there.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a day to enjoy.”

Potter isn’t fazed by the task that lies ahead of his Buddies and takes confidence from the fact Saints have beaten both sides of the Old Firm this season.

He added: “It can be done. We’ll have to go out there and defend properly and hopefully get the first goal because it could be vital.”