The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Upsets are unlikely in fourth round of cup
It is the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup this weekend, a competition I have many fond memories of. I was lucky enough to pick up winner’s medals when I was at Celtic, and it is fantastic to have your name in the record books. The finals are unforgettable, and also big days out for your family and friends.
Of course, the teams playing this weekend still have a long way to go before they can start dreaming of a date at Hampden for the final.
Everyone talks about the romance of the cup and big upsets, but I can’t see that happening in this round.
For instance it is a great story for Bonnyrigg Rose to be playing Hibs, and the Junior side will obviously make a lot of money from the tie. But I think any chance they had of beating the Championship pace-setters vanished when the game was moved from their own ground to Tynecastle.
Inverness may be struggling in the Premiership, and Elgin will fancy their chances at Borough Briggs, but I still think Caley have enough to win.
Motherwell go to Ibrox with a decent record against Rangers, and it is a tight one to call. Mark Warburton’s side are probably one or two players away from being a good side, although they are still miles behind Celtic, and home advantage will probably count.
Meanwhile, closer to home, Dundee should comfortably overcome the Championship’s bottom side St Mirren.
Everyone will point out the Dark Blues last won the famous old trophy back in 1910, but I don’t think that will bring any extra pressure on the players. If anything, they can look at what Hibs did last season to end their long cup hoodoo and take inspiration from that.
The Dundee players should still be buoyed by their last result, the 3-0 defeat of St Johnstone at Dens.
That was a bit of a coupon buster, and the last thing the Dundee players would have wanted after such a great result was a winter break.
However, the confidence levels will still be high, and Paul Hartley’s side should ease through to the next round.
There is still time before the transfer window shuts and I can see Paul bringing in one or two, especially with Rory Loy now out on loan.
United face a long trip north to Ross County in Dingwall in one of the most interesting ties of the round.
The Staggies have picked up recently while United have dropped behind Hibs at the top of the Championship.
Jim McIntyre has done well since he took charge of County but I feel Ray McKinnon’s men will welcome the break from league action and, with the pressure off, could shock the Premiership side.
Leicester outfoxed After last season’s title heroics I have been surprised to see my former club Leicester struggling in this campaign.
Claudio Ranieri’s side are six points off the bottom of the Premier League.
It’s still miles away from when I was at the club and we were scratching around in the Championship, but it is still strange seeing Leicester down near the relegation zone.
I think the transfer of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea was a huge blow, and I am sure Ranieri will look to strengthen in the window. However, he will struggle to offer the incredible sums of money that Chinese clubs are putting on the table at the moment.
Yaya Toure has reportedly turned down a £430,000-a-week offer from China, which is just mind-boggling.
While the Manchester City player rejected the chance of a move, I am sure there will be plenty of others lured by the mega-bucks and it will be interesting to see what impact it has on the Premier League.