Homesbook Factoring Caplan

Clyde V Falkirk Preview

At last its Scottish Cup time and Broadwood is set for a cracker. High flying Falkirk are the visitors in a match that is sure to host Clyde’s biggest crowd of the season. Home supporters can pay at the gate and with Falkirk fans quickly buying up tickets it is sure to be a great atmosphere.

Clyde will be boosted by the inclusion of late signing Alex Burns and recent signing Graeme Jones will be keen to continue his great start with the club. As the club welcomes some much needed experience to the ranks, one player who is likely to be absent is Craig Bryson.

Billy commented, “Its touch and go in regard to Craig and I haven’t ruled him out completely. He is a talented player and an important member of our squad but I have to consider the bigger picture. I would hate it to risk Craig and then for him to breakdown after twenty minutes and be out for a long period. With a small squad we just can’t afford that to happen”.

Picking the team isn’t the most difficult of tasks for Billy. “With the addition of Burns that means I have 16 senior players to pick and that includes 2 goalkeepers. Some of the lads didn’t train this week but we will just get on with the task in hand”.

Tomorrow’s game can’t come quick enough though, “we are all looking forward to it. I’m sure it will be a great match. Falkirk are a good side but we don’t go into this game fearful. Indeed the players are keen to make amends for their previous performance against the Bairns that saw us lose two poor goals. It was disappointing to lose that game but again we can take some positives from that as we competed well even when we were down to ten men and, who knows what would have happened if Harty had been able to net that half chance in the second half?”

Falkirk could bring back Daniel McBreen and Pedro Mutinho as the Bairns demonstrate their strength in depth. Elsewhere for First division clubs Partick Thistle host Hearts. Ross County play at home to Airdrie United and on Sunday St Johnstone travel up North to play Inverness at Dingwall. The games at Victoria Park are in some doubt and an inspection is due on Saturday morning. Clyde loan stars Paul Doyle and David Greenhill will enjoy cup action against Queen of the South, Hamilton travel to St Mirren while finally Raith Rovers will look for cup cheer against Alloa.