I CAN BE A JAMBUSTER

ROBERT SLOAN scored the goal that dumped Livingston out of the Scottish Cup last season.

Now the Alloa striker has his sights set on another shock tonight when the Recreation Park side host Hearts in the CIS Cup.

The defeat of Livi was one of the results which contributed to Paul Lambert's downfall as manager at Almondvale.

And former Jambo Sloan knows another win for the Wasps would up the pressure on Hearts coach Valdas Ivanauskas.

Sloan spent five years at Tynecastle, making around a dozen first-team starts. He joined Alloa just over a year ago, having previously had a spell there on loan.

Allan Maitland's men currently prop up the Second Division - the same position they occupied when they beat Livi in a replay in January,

Sloan said: "I remember scoring that goal against Livingston and was aware it contributed to Lambert's resignation.

"I would love to score the winner against Hearts and heap even more pressure on their manager. We have nothing to lose and want to try to spring a surprise like we did against Livingston last season.

"Livi may not be in the same class as Hearts but our win against them still shows that in cup matches anything is possible. I am sure Recreation Park will be a great leveller."

Sloan revealed he is still in touch with some of his former Hearts team-mates.

He said: "I still talk to some of the guys who were at Tynecastle when I was, the likes of Paul Hartley and Robbie Neilson.

"I haven't seen them for a while but I send them the odd text wishing them all the best.

"John McGlynn was my Under-16 coach and it will be good to catch up with him and the boys again."

Sloan admits that when he sees the Jambos line up for Champions League qualifiers and UEFA Cup matches on TV he can't help but think about what might have been.

He scored on his Hearts debut as a teenager and travelled with the squad on European trips, developing a taste for the big time.

The part-time builder, who works with his dad, said: "Sometimes when I see Hearts playing in Europe or other big games and I read all the stuff in the papers, I think I could have done better in the game.

"But you just have to get on with things and do your best for whatever club you are playing with.

"My family were proud of me last season when I scored that goal against Livingston and it was great to grab the limelight for achieving something in football.

"That goal is up there with my career highlights although scoring on my Hearts debut against Motherwell as a 17-year-old was arguably my biggest achievement."

Taken from the Daily Record