Halliday determined to grasp Hampden chance

Andy Halliday hopes he can wipe away the painful memories of Rangers’ 2016 Scottish Cup final defeat by leading the Ibrox men up the Hampden steps this year.

The Gers midfielder thought he had bagged the historic winner against Hibernian as the Light Blues sought their first major honour since the club’s financial implosion.

But joy turned to despair when Anthony Stokes levelled the game up before David Gray won it for the Easter Road men in stoppage time to end their 114-year wait for cup glory.

Now as Graeme Murty’s squad prepare for a last-eight showdown with Falkirk tomorrow, Halliday is eager to grasp his chance at redemption.

“You never know how many cup finals you’re going to play in so for my first big one to end like that was massively disappointing,” he said.

“The next time we get to a cup final, we sure don’t want to feel the way we did that day. We’ve got a really good opportunity now to reach another final. We’re a couple of steps away with Sunday the first hurdle.”

● Motherwell midfielder Liam Grimshaw (groin) remains a doubt for tomorrow’s tie against Hearts, while Deimantas Petravicius will be assessed after having treatment on his knee.

Hearts hope to have John Souttar fit after the defender missed the midweek draw against Kilmarnock with a tight hamstring.

Left-back Demetri Mitchell is expected to be fit despite going off with a knee knock in the latter stages on Tuesday.

Arnaud Djoum (Achilles), Jamie Brandon, Rory Currie (both knee) and Malaury Martin (groin) are long-term absentees.