Cooper wants silver and gold; THE Homecoming Scotland SCOTTISH CUP SPECIAL... PETERHEAD v Q PARK Today, Balmoor Stadium, 3pm.Byline: By Craig Swan NEALE COOPER Neale James Cooper (born November 24 1963, in Darjeeling, India) is a Scottish football manager and former professional player. A big, muscular player, his nickname as was "Godzilla" because of his ferocious tackling. is no stranger to the romance of the Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup[1], usually known as the Scottish Cup, is the national cup knockout competition in Scottish football. The trophy awarded to the winners has the distinction of being the oldest national trophy in the world. after winning it four times as an Aberdeen player. But the Peterhead gaffer admits that in these days of financial hardship, a good run in the competition is as much about loot as love. Lower-league clubs can boost their coffers - as Queen of the South proved by banking pounds 500,000 from reaching last season's final. And Cooper said: "The Scottish Cup always brings a smile to my face, I was lucky enough to win it four times. "I try to put across to the players the great experiences I had and I'm sure they are tired of hearing the stories. "There are rewards for players but also for clubs. You get money for progressing and that can mean a lot to part-time teams. But I have my mind on the football aspect and I'mlooking for us to put on a good show." The sides clash again just seven days after going head to head in the Second Division at Hampden. Cooper's side lost 2-1 and the manager was far from pleased with the display. He wants an instant improvement today and added: "I didn't rant and rave at the players but I spoke to them about the high standards they have set and the fact they let themselves down. I wasn't happy but we have a chance to get the defeat out of our system." Meanwhile, Queen's defender Ritchie Sinclair has warned his team-mates that Peterhead will be on a revenge mission after last weekend's clash. Sinclair said: "Last Saturday's 2-1 win is in the past and I'm sure Peterhead will be looking to make sure they don't suffer at our hands in consecutive weeks. "It's a new game and we haven't forgotten the heavy 4-1 defeat we suffered up there earlier this season. "Both clubs have the carrot of a place in the last 16 and will be going all out to get there. "We're going into the game on the back of a few good results so the confidence is high and we believe we can come back down the road with a result." TEAM SHEET PETERHEAD: Callum Macdonald Callum MacDonald (born 31 May 1983 in Perth) is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Scottish First Division club Dundee. MacDonald is one of several players who have come through the youth ranks at Dundee to play in the first team for the last few seasons. and Bobby Mann Robert (Bobby) Alexander Mann (born 11 January 1974 in Dundee) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Peterhead. Mann, a defender, started his career with St Johnstone in 1991 before joining Forfar Athletic a year later. could both start after recovering from injuries but Neil McVitie is ruled out long-term after undergoing knee surgery last week. QUEEN'S PARK: Queen's boss Gardner Speirs has a full strength squad and expects to name the same starting side that defeated Peterhead in the Second Division at Hampden last weekend. Referee: D Somers |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion