WE'RE OUT TO DO A CLYDE ON HEARTS SAYS JAGS STAR MARK

MARK ROBERTS has spotted a window of opportunity - and aims to throw the form book out of it.

The striker reckons Partick Thistle beating Hearts in the Cup at Tynecastle tomorrow would be a bigger upset than Clyde conquering Celtic.

Thistle are massive underdogs against Graham Rix's SPL high fliers but Roberts knows that in this year's competition the tag of favourite has counted for nothing.

Last night he said: "Should we win it wouldn't have the same impact as Clyde beating Celtic but in our eyes it would be bigger.

"We're in the Second Division and they are the second-best team in the country. We are huge underdogs but we'll go there and give it our best.

"I they play the way they can, they will beat us - but this is the Cup and things happen."

Roberts, who signed from Airdrie last year, believes the Cup run has safeguarded his future at Firhill.

He said: "The money earned keeps the club full-time for a couple of years and the gaffer might be able to bring in players of better quality as well.

"I wouldn't have gone part-time anyway because I'd prefer to stay full-time but getting the money in is brilliant for the guys who are out of contract in summer.

"I hope it's us in the Final and not Gretna. They don't need the money - they have more than Rangers.

"A lot of people say it's better to have a final without the Old Firm. There is more interest in the Cup when Rangers and Celtic are out.

"It's good to see the underdogs getting a chance and there wouldn't be a problem filling Hampden if Thistle got there.

"We'd take thousands and we'll go to Tynecastle with a big support. It's looking like a Hearts-Hibs final but we're out to make sure that doesn't happen.

"No disrespect to the Second Division but this is better. A lot of the guys haven't played against the bigger clubs so this might be an eye-opener for them."

In 1997 as a kid at Kilmarnock Roberts had a taste of Scottish Cup success but now he's looking for more than just a spectating role if Thistle make it to Hampden.

He said:"I was in the squad when Killie won the Cup but didn't play. However, I was a local boy staying in Kilmarnock and it was a great time for everyone."

Jags boss Dick Campbell revealed he tried in vain last year to sign one player who's certain to be a thorn in his side tomorrow.

He said: "Everyone talks about the foreigners at Hearts but I like the big Scottish lad, Calum Elliot.

"I tried to get him on loan but couldn't. He's been doing really well and he'd have done well here, too."

Taken from the Daily Record