Derek McInnes wants Scottish Cup run

Feb 12 2008

DEREK McINNES has called on his players to replace league disappointment with cup joy.

It’s take two for the Scottish Cup tie in Dingwall tonight, after the original clash with Ross County fell victim to the weather.

That meant a wasted journey to the Highlands and the Perth manager doesn’t want to endure another troubled trip. It’s a long way back from Dingwall on a Tuesday night if you’ve blown the chance of a quarter-final home tie with St Mirren or Dundee United.

McInnes admitted Saints had been poor at Palmerston but a Sunday session and another yesterday ensured the squad has re-grouped and the players are eager to extend their stay in the cup spotlight.

With Kevin Rutkiewicz and Steven Anderson both available after suspension, there may be defensive changes, but Daniel McBreen isn’t ready to start after taking an injection last week.

Rocco Quinn, signed on an emergency loan from Celtic on Friday, will miss out. His return to McDiarmid came after the signing deadline for the cup.

McInnes stressed: “This is too big a game for the club to have any sort of hangover from the weekend. Thankfully the cup tie is coming hard on its heels. The cup was good to us last season and we want to go on another run.

“But we know we’ll have to perform much better than we did in Dumfries or we will be out of the competition.

“I have had good reports on Ross County and saw them myself at close quarters.

“They are top of the Second Division, scoring goals and playing with confidence. That makes them dangerous. We were also doing well ourselves before the weekend game. It is important we get back on the rails quickly and we have to bring much more to the table than against Queens.

“I’m not being too critical of the players because they have been great since I took over.

“As much as Ross County will be eager to win this game we are also desperate to progress.”

Rutkiewicz is now clear of suspension and is set to slot back into central defence. Anderson is banned for games against Morton and Dundee but is available tonight and against Hamilton this weekend. Stuart McCaffrey has had another few days to advance his fitness levels so McInnes has options.

Rutkiewicz said: “We had been on a reasonable run but our pride has been badly hurt by the performance at Dumfries. This is a massive game.

“We’d love to set up a home tie with St Mirren or Dundee United. That would lift everyone and give our fans something to look forward to.

“Derek Adams has been doing a great job in Dingwall and they look odds-on for promotion. It is going to be a tough one for us. It might not be pretty so we have to get the sleeves rolled up. We know we can play pretty football but we might need a nasty streak to see us through.

“They will fancy their chances but so do we. We’d love to have a crack against an SPL team at McDiarmid. The motivation is there to go to Dingwall and win. We won’t get home until 1am so we have to make the coach trip back down the A9 enjoyable.”

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PERTH fans heading for Dingwall tonight should note that a shortage of stewards means County have closed the terracing. Saints fans will be in the stand. Kick-off at 7.45pm.