Giants full of confidence for semi-final trip north of the border

MANCHESTER Giants head into arguably their biggest game since their 2012 return to the BBL tonight.

Coach Danny Byrne’s men host Glasgow Rocks in the first leg of the BBL Cup semi-finals with a 7.30pm tip-off at the Trafford Sportsdome.

They go into the clash in buoyant mood having finally added a home win to this season’s hot away form – and irrepressible American signing, Willie Clayton, was named the league’s player of the month for November.

Byrne said: “The players are feeling happy and confident after the quarter-final win at Cheshire and finally getting a win at home against Surrey last time out in the league.

“The season as a whole is going pretty well and, in all competitions, we are 5/4 which is way better than we were this time last season.

“We know how important this game is and how hard it will be. Glasgow are an experienced team and their record so far this season is irrelevant.

“They had some early struggles and have won some games against opposition that have been missing players. But neither of those things matter – this is a cup game and, though we respect them, we go into the game in a good frame of mind.

“We recruited better in the summer and are mentally tougher but we have just got to keep going.”

There is a place in the final at Birmingham Arena at stake, with the second leg taking place in Glasgow on January 13.

Newcastle Eagles and London Lions compete in the other last-four gam