Gret expectations for Nicholls as he plots yet another underdog tale

Peterhead assistant manager David Nicholls reckons his team can cause a massive upset in today’s “historic” Petrofac Cup Final.

Nicholls knows what it feels like to be written off heading into a clash at Hampden after playing for Gretna in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final against Hearts.

But the minnows came within a whisker of one of the greatest shocks in history as they drew 1-1 and only lost on penalties.

So he reckons Gers will pay if they take his League One side lightly.

Nicholls, who also won the Challenge Cup as a player with Falkirk, said: “That day with Gretna was a bit of a blur. But they were proud times.

“It was a team that was playing in the third tier getting to the Scottish Cup Final.

“That was unheard of at the time and Gretna paved the way for the smaller clubs to cause upsets. I know what it’s like to go into a final as a total underdog and I can convey that to the Peterhead players.

“Everyone else in Scotland expects us to lose but within the dressing room and throughout the club we make the guys aware that they’re capable of causing an upset.

“The players in the squad are more than capable of beating Rangers. We have given them the belief.

“We know Rangers lost to Raith Rovers in this final two years ago but they are a totally different team now.”

Rangers’ journey through the divisions ended in midweek when they sealed the Championship title.

But Nicholls recalled how Peterhead should have beaten the Ibrox side in their first game in the bottom division.

And although Gers are far more formidable these days, he knows deadly Blue Toon hitman Rory McAllister has the talent to punish a leaky defence.

Nicholls said: “Rory has incredible ability.

“He scored five goals at Falkirk earlier in this competition. No team has put as many past them all season and he did it on his own.

“This final is an historic occasion.

“It’s the first time it has been held at the National Stadium and it’s highly unlikely Rangers will ever be in this competition again.

“So we don’t want to have any regrets.”