McGlynn’s high hopes for cup run

John McGlynn hopes a return to the Hampden of his dreams can kickstart a Scottish Cup run for Raith Rovers.

McGlynn steered Hearts to Youth Cup success at the national stadium against Rangers in 2000 and was part of the coaching staff when the Tynecastle club lifted the Scottish Cup in 2006.

The Stark’s Park boss also secured promotion from the Second Division at the Mount Florida ground during his last spell with Raith in 2009 and reached the Scottish Cup semifinal before defeat to Dundee United in 2010.

With the arena having witnessed the return of a feelgood factor for Scotland with Tuesday’s victory over Israel, McGlynn is hopeful it can inspire Rovers to success tomorrow.

He said: “Everyone at this stage is looking for a cup run, and we are absolutely no different.

“It takes you away from the league, and it’s a nice, fresh opportunity to go and play at Hampden, where the pitch will be in really, really good condition.

“It’s a big pitch, where we can go and pass the ball, and that’s key for us.

“Queens have been doing very well. It won’t be easy but we look forward to it.

“When I was here previously, we managed to get to the semifinal.

“We’re not getting carried away, we need to win this game first and foremost.”

On the injury front, there was good news and bad news for Rovers yesterday.

Midfielder Grant Gillespie has shaken off a knee problem and will return to the squad ahead of schedule this weekend.

He is set to be joined in the travelling party by striker Chris Duggan, who has also been sidelined since September through injury.

However, on-loan Livingston full-back Callum Crane picked up a knee strain in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Stenhousemuir and is likely to be out of action for up to a month.

“We’ve got better numbers in the squad,” McGlynn added.

John McGlynn thinks Rovers can be inspired.