DEJA PHEW

Feb 26 2005

Mac plans repeat shock

By Anthony Haggerty

DAVID McNAMEE believes the off-field struggles that inspired Livingston to last season's CIS Cup triumph will fire the players up for their bid to book a return trip to Hampden.

The former Blackburn defender reckons Livi can once again cast the club's financial woes to one side to beat Hearts in the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-finals tomorrow - and reach the last four for the second season running..

McNamee said: 'The circumstances in which we won the CIS Cup were remarkable.

'Like now, we were in administration and the players did not know if they would have a job on the Monday after the Final. That had a galvanising effect on the squad.

'The sad thing was the break-up of that team so soon after we became Livi's first trophy winners.

'Hopefully the guys who are still here can use the experience gained that day to guide the others through against Hearts.

'They know what it's like to lift silverware and maybe history can repeat itself as we are playing under a similar set of circumstances.

'We are trying to develop a similar bond to what the cup-winning team had.

'It is actually shaping up to be a decent season if we can survive in the SPL and get through against Hearts to line-up a semi-final appearance at Hampden.

'The cup-tie is a chance for us to express ourselves as it is a one-off match. There is not the added pressure of trying to gain vital league points to ensure our SPL survival and our approach has been relaxed all week.

'I love playing at Tynecastle as there is always a great atmosphere.'

Boss Richard Gough is looking for a positive response from his players in a week when the headlines have been made off the field.

And he is desperate for revenge after Hearts hit his side with two late sucker punches the last time the sides met.

Gough said: 'It's a wee break from the league campaign.

'The last time we played Hearts we had a good game but conceded two late goals.

'We did better than the 2-1 scoreline suggested. This is a great chance for us to get through to a semi-final.

'A few of the players were here last year when the club got a bit of success in the CIS Cup.

'They also made it through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and I'm sure the players would love to repeat that.'

Taken from the Daily Record