St Johnstone's Hardie gets a starting place at cup semi-final

Apr 15 2008

MARTIN HARDIE is set to claim a starting place in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Rangers.

Last term’s player of the year has bounced back from injury in time to worm his way into Perth plans for Sunday’s trip to Hampden.

And with on-loan Celtic youngster Rocco Quinn ruled out by a thigh strain, the big-hearted midfielder is eager to square-up to a Rangers side which saw-off Partick Thistle in Sunday’s quarter-final replay. First Division shock troops Queen of the South await the winners.

Manager Derek McInnes yesterday began the countdown to his first semi-final as St Johnstone boss. It’s the seventh in the club’s history and the fourth against the Ibrox club.

It’s a hurdle the Perth club have yet to clear but one-time Gers midfielder McInnes is relishing the prospect of making more history in a season when Saints have already claimed the Challenge Cup.

Last year, he was a player in Owen Coyle’s team which scared the living daylights out of Celtic but this time round he’s calling the shots.

On Saturday, the squad will make for the same hotel they used last year to prepare for Sunday’s game. And long-term absentees Hardie, skipper Kevin James and striker Daniel McBreen are all set to travel.

McInnes said: “We are all looking forward to facing Rangers, even if it is hard to predict the Glasgow club’s line-up.

“This is a first for me as a manager and while Rangers demand respect we feel very positive. I have players who will create chances and we have to take them on the day.

“It is a great time for the club, with three national cup semi-finals from four and a Challenge Cup win. I know there will be more pats on the back if we lose to a Rangers team chasing four trophies and it is an achievement making the semi-finals again. But we were disappointed to lose to Hibs and Celtic last season at this stage. We fell short and want to go the distance.

“There was belief last year in the squad and it has to be there again to face Rangers. We are going there to win, not just to enjoy the occasion.

“Queen of the South were fantastic in beating Aberdeen so we know what lies ahead if we can beat Rangers. It’s is a great achievement for Queens to reach the final and everyone saw what it meant to the club. We have a chance to emulate that. We should relish the opportunity to join them in an all First Division final.”

McInnes has fixed up a reserve game tomorrow at 1pm at McDiarmid to give McBreen a run. He may leave Hardie and James to concentrate on training in advance of the semi-final.

McInnes is confident Jody Morris and Kevin Rutkiewicz will return but admitted: “Rocco is struggling. He was sent for a scan and has a tear in his hamstring. It would be remarkable if he was ready. But thankfully Martin did well against Morton.”

Hardie scored against Celtic last season and he’s straining at the leash to face their Old Firm rivals.

“It was important to get a win on board to take into the Rangers game and I was delighted to get the full 90 minutes.

“We gave Celtic a fright and we were very unlucky and should have won last season. But this Rangers team is stronger and we’ll have to up our game.

“Last year we faced Celtic’s strongest team, their Champions League line-up. We’re not sure what to expect from Rangers with the semi-final between their Old Firm game on Wednesday and UEFA Cup semi-final with Fiorentina.

We matched Celtic in every department and like Rangers they had a heavy schedule. They tired towards the end. But Rangers are stronger throughout. They are big and powerful and they have guys like Naismith and Boyd, who I know from Kilmarnock, eager to come in.

“It is incredible for a lower league club like St Johnstone to reach three major semi-finals in a year, along with winning the Challenge Cup. And from my own point of view Celtic are the only SPL side I’ve lost to as a First Division player.

“SPL clubs can find it difficult playing teams from the First Division, as Aberdeen proved on Saturday. And we have already beaten St Mirren.

“We have enough experience in the squad to handle the game and it’s up to older players like myself to help the younger lads and show we can play at a higher level.

“After being out so long this is a real bonus for me. I’m short of match fitness but really looking to being involved in another semi-final. We go there as massive underdogs again but there is nothing to be scared of. Queen of the South are already in the final but we aren’t looking any further than Sunday and the game with Rangers.”

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SAINTS fans can buy tickets for Hampden through to Friday from McDiarmid Park, 9.30am to 5pm. They are £22 and £15/£5 for the family section. The Perth team will wear their alternative yellow strip, with Rangers also wearing their change gear. Sunday’s kick-off is 3pm.

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SAINTS are being linked with an interest in Scotland U21 goalkeeper Euan Maclean, who is being released at the end of the season by Dundee United. Long-time Perth keeper Kevin Cuthbert is set to move on in search of regular first team football.