THESE GUYS WILL COME TO THE FOUR

ALEX SMITH rewrote the record books by guiding two clubs to Scottish Cup Final glory - and neither of them were Old Firm sides.

Now he is tipping Graham Rix to lift the trophy for Hearts and perfectly sum up what he calls the "era of the 15-minute chairman and the 10-minute manager".

Smith, who masterminded cup triumphs for St Mirren in 1987 and Aberdeen three years later, knows all about snap decisions.

He was the man awarded the MBE on the same day Ross County axed him as their boss.

But the great and the good inside the game know what Smith, the chairman of the Managers and Coaches Association, is worth after five decades in the dugout.

His services to the game will be recognised at a tribute dinner to be attended next month by the likes of Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan and Sir Alex Ferguson.

But the present has always been more important than the past for Smith, which is why he's as fascinated as the rest of the country by a cup competition that has seen the Old Firm exit early and created the prospect of an all-Edinburgh final.

He said: "The same happened when St Mirren won the Cup in 1987 by beating Dundee United.

"The Old Firm had gone out before the quarter-finals and I sensed it would be the year of a provincial club.

"That's why I had no qualms about putting Paul Lambert in my side for the final even though he was only 17.

"I told him the previous week he would definitely play but warned him that if I saw the story leaked to the media he wouldn't get a game.

"We won with an Ian Ferguson goal in extra-time but myjoy was shortlived because St Mirren sacked me less than a year after that triumph.

"That's why I know Graham has to watch himself when Hearts play less-fancied Partick Thistle at Tynecastle. Vladimir Romanov, the club's owner, doesn't hang about if he's displeased

"The amount of managerial talent tossed on the scrapheap has brought me to the conclusion that this is the time of the 15-minute chairman and the 10-minute manager.

"Lambert is out of management six months after being given his first job at Livingston. But I've spoken to him and he's upbeat and determined to come back with another club.

"I started in management in 1969 and hope some club will want to use my experience one day.

"In the meantime I would have to put any pretence at neutrality to one side and say I'd like to see St Mirren get b ack to Hampden for the final.

"I'm far from convinced there will be the all-Edinburgh final a lot of people want to see this season."

Smith cast his eye over the quarterfinal ties and predicted three straight wins, with one game going to a replay.

He said: "I expect St Mirren to win at Gretna. A cup tradition can be what pulls you through - or drags you down - on an occasion like this one.

"I take Gus MacPherson to survive because he has real managerial potential and it shows in his team.

"I admire Gretna's owner Brooks Mileson for what his money's done for Gretna but you need a big fan base for the SPL and he doesn't have one.

"St Mirren would be good finalists. The tens of thousands who went to Hampden from Paisley in 1987 are waiting to come out of the woodwork.

"Hamilton against Dundee will be an open game that's capable of going either way. Accies probably have more experience than Alan Kernaghan has to choose from at Dens Park. And

Billy Reid has a stuffy side who can master their own astroturf pitch to get a narrow victory."

"What I suspect about Falkirk against Hibsis that John Hughes' side have a feeling the draw could open up and guide them to their first final since they lost to Kilmarnock in 1997.

"But I think it could take them two games to get their wish.

"Something peculiar comes over Hibs in cup football. They had won five league games in a row when they went to Dunfermline in the CIS Cup this season and promptly lost 3-0.

"There's a more predictable look about Hearts against Partick Thistle. Hearts have the strongest side in Scotland when all of their top players are fit and available.

"They'll be too much for Dick Campbell's side, even though I believe Thistle are a Premier League club playing in the Second Division.

"If I had to bet on anyone for the Cup it would be Hearts.

"There are two ways to success. You can take your time and allow everyone to grow in their jobs or you can go down the instant road as it applies to players and managers.

"Romanov has insisted on doing things the latter way and he would have a phenomenal support at Hampden Park to back his team up.

"I was Aberdeen manager when Brian Irvine scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Celtic in the 1990 final.

"Brian's Christianity allowed him to say the 'Man upstairs' was on his side. But I asked him, 'What about the 40,000 Celtic fans willing you to miss?'

"Often the reassurance of a big crowd behind you can move mountains quicker than faith."

Which is why Smith can't see past Hearts.

SMITH ON..

Hearts v Partick Th

'If I had to bet on any side it would be Hearts'

SMITH ON..

Falkirk v Hibernian

'It may take Falkirk two games to get their wish'

SMITH ON..

Hamilton v Dundee

'An open game that could go either way'

SMITH ON..

Gretna v St Mirren

'Saints in final would be good for the Cup'

Taken from the Daily Record