TANSER’S UP FOR THE CUP Memories of facing English giants inspire defender
Scott holds off Welsh international David Vaughan as his side knocked out Nottingham Forest, while the defender has also faced Bojan and Arnautovic (both inset) when he came up against Stoke City Tanser is relishing his return St Johnstone defender Scott Tanser has cup memories of mixing it with top-flight stars in England and is keen to make more lasting moments.
During his time at Rochdale, Tanser was part of the giant-killing side which knocked Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup and which gave Premiership side Stoke a run for their money.
He said: “The first cup run I’d been involved in, we made it to the fourth round of the FA Cup, beating Nottingham Forest along the way, to play Stoke City.
“I was up against Bojan and Marko Arnautovic which was a good experience.
“It’s definitely motivation to do well in the Scottish Cup.
“Obviously, you want to go on a good cup run as it’s a great thing to be involved in.
“The league is great, but anything can happen in the cup and I think that’s just the magic of it.”
The left-back is well aware of the Perth club’s cup success in 2014 and is keen to emulate the performance.
Tanser added: “It was brilliant. It’s always good to win a cup as it brings great experience and great belief.”
Six months into his first season in Scotland, the former Port Vale full-back has felt the benefit of the break in play in January, something which doesn’t occur south of the border.
He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “I’m feeling much better.
“I got a chance to see my family and go down and spend a bit of time with them.
“I think that’s important, especially for me being up here as I’ve only got my ‘little’ family.
“It’s good to get refreshed and we’re ready to go again.
“In England, there’s a real build-up of fixtures over Christmas so people get tired.”
The 23-year-old is hoping it will be third time lucky for the club’s Coatbridge clash on Monday, but understands Albion Rovers’ situation in the wake of two previous call-offs owing to the weather.
He said: “It’s unfortunate the way it’s happened, but I think the weather has been worse down there than it has been up here and also they don’t have the facilities that the higher leagues have.
“Hopefully it will go ahead on Monday, so we don’t have a build up of fixtures.”
Not looking too far ahead, Tanser hopes the Perth club will start 2018 with a win first against Partick Thistle on Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to it. Being the first Premiership game back, I think it will be a test,” he continued.
“They are a well-structured side and last time I thought we deserved something, but hopefully we can take something from them this time.”