NO FEARS FOR PARTICK - CAMPBELL

Partick manager Dick Campbell insists taking on Hearts at Tynecastle holds no fears for his players.

They defied the odds to hold Hearts to a goalless draw at Firhill in the third round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup despite enduring a disastrous start to the season.

Their woeful league campaign cost co-managers Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte their jobs and Campbell was recruited just in time for the cup tie against Hearts.

The former Brechin City boss had clearly stamped his mark on the team in the few days he had been in charge and they managed to force the tie to a replay, even counting themselves unlucky when Juan Escalas was denied only by the woodwork.

Both teams will do it all again at Tynecastle on Wednesday night but Campbell insists their best chance to progress has not already passed them by.

He said: "I don't see it that way at all. We are still in the cup and it's all about the romance of the cup no matter where you play.

"We will still play our own game and we have no worries whatsoever about playing at Tynecastle."

Campbell is realistic enough to realise the smart money is on Hearts to emerge triumphant and go on to play Kilmarnock in the fourth round.

But, despite sitting second bottom of the Bell's First Division, it was only last year that Partick were playing against Bank of Scotland Premier League teams every week.

Campbell has urged his players to show that they can still compete with the best.

He added: "I think we surprised a few people the last time and we know the element of surprise is gone now.

"Hearts are heavy favourites to win the tie and they are worthy favourites too.

"It will be a hard game and will be backs against the wall stuff.

"But we were an SPL side last season and we should be accustomed to playing against SPL teams."

Taken from sportinglife.com