Dad will say it is just another game, it’s not
LATEST Caley Jags fired up even more says Tansey
win – that’s natural. We’d rather play on that than think we’re favourites – we’d rather send them away unhappy.
“Going in as favourites is unusual for us, it’s something we’re not used to. I doubt we’ll be thinking like that. We’ll be working to make sure come May 30 everyone knows their jobs.
“We also have a small game against Celtic on Sunday so need to get that out the way first.”
Tansey is hoping to savour INVERNESS have agreed a new one year deal with main shirt sponsors Subway.
The sandwich chain have vowed to invest £100,000 into the Highland club, who will play in Europe for the first time in their 21-year history next season.
Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron said: “We are delighted the Subway team have decided to extend their sponsorship.” one more moment of glory at Hampden after being victorious against Celtic in his only outing at the national stadium.
Despite having played in the English League Two final at Wembley and the League Cup Final against Aberdeen at Celtic Park last season the Englishman says everything about Hampden marks it out as a special venue.
Tansey said: “I played for Stevenage against Everton at Goodison Park in the Carling Cup in 2013.
“I’m an Everton fan so it was pretty big. And I’ve been involved in a play-off final with Stockport. It was at Wembley but nowhere near as full as Celtic Park.
“There were only 25,000 or so but at Celtic Park last year the atmosphere was something else.
“Playing at Hampden is a pleasure. There was a special feel to it in the semi-final – even little things like the bus driving in underneath the stadium.
“It was the first time I’d been there and I was really impressed. Hampden is a great stadium to play at.
“It holds the atmosphere well. You get the same feeling walking out at Celtic but Hampden is the most I’ve ever felt it.
“All the hairs on your back stand on one end and you get the shivers but it’s what you play football for as a kid.”
There’s already a special kind of atmosphere in Inverness with the city having gone cup crazy.
So much so the school buses now have the Caley Jags players splashed all over them.
And midfielder James Vincent added: “The woman who organised it said all the kids loved the idea.
“The build- up has been massive. The city’s really got behind the whole thing. It shows how high expectancy is that we can win. People stop us in the street to wish us good luck.
“These are the times you live for as a footballer – there’s a chance to win something and to make a bit of history.” FALKIRK’S Peter Grant won’t have to seek fatherly advice on how to win the Scottish Cup as he knows exactly what ex-Celt Peter senior’s hints will be.
The Bairns defender said: “At the end of the day, I know what dad will say to me. He’ll tell me to treat it like a normal game.
“But to be a Scottish Cup winner means it’s not just like a run-of-the-mill league game.
“He’ll tell me I don’t need to do anything different, to play the game and not the occasion.”
Grant junior was just a baby when his dad shed tears of joy after winning the competition with Celtic in 1995.
The Hoops’ 1-0 win over Airdrie ended a six-year trophy drought for the Parkhead outfit and the midfielder’s emotions spilled over at full-time.
It is an image Grant junior has grown up with, thanks to video re-runs, and he expects his father will pass on some of his experience as a four-time winner of the trophy as next Saturday’s showpiece against Inverness Caley Thistle gets nearer.
However, the 21-year-old, who joined the Bairns from Norwich last summer, hopes he already has the recipe for success as he bids to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
Falkirk are underdogs for the final but Grant feels not having to face his dad’s old team, Celtic, means they have a better chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1957.
Yet he insists he would have backed them no matter who they were facing in the final.
He added: “It’s a one-off game, anyone can beat anyone else, and that’s the frame of mind I’ll have on the day.
“It’ll be a fantastic day, we’re looking forward to it and hopefully we will give a good account of ourselves and get the right result.”