Time to lead by example
David Rowson remembers the Firhill sand pit better than the night a sea of red and yellow parted to swallow Damon Gray up.
And the former Partick Thistle stalwart says this crop can force Rangers into frustration – if they can only hold out a bit longer.
Jags head to Ibrox in the competition for the first time since 2008, having gone to a quarter-final replay in Ian McCall’s first stint as boss.
Gray sent then First Division Thistle one up, only for Kris Boyd to level inside two minutes before Gers won a Maryhill replay 2-0.
“It always is,” said Rowson of it being a rollercoaster of emotions. “When playing bigger sides, if you do go ahead, the longer you can keep it like that, the more frustrated they get and then they start doing stupid things.
“So that maybe didn’t help us but we still managed to hang on for a 1-1, which was good. When you’re the ‘minnow’ you go into the game just wanting to play
well, it’s essentially a shot in the dark for some. All you want to do is just give a good showing. That’s what we did and we managed to get a good result. That’s all we ever did when we were playing the larger sides.
“We scored at the end all the Thistle fans were so it was a good event for them. Damon went a bit crazy!
“You do have to ride your luck and play really well.
“Thistle’s form has been a little bit erratic of late but it’s a cup game – anything can happen. If you can get the first goal, put them under pressure and keep it like that as long as possible, you have every chance. But everybody has to be on top of their game.”
Simon Donnelly missed a penalty in the replay while Rowson had a chance for a rare addition to his goal tally.
He added: “I blame the pitch and a great keeper in Allan McGregor as well!
“That was when the
Firhill pitch wasn’t the best – it was more of a sand pit than anything else. I’m not known for my goalscoring abilities... unless it’s outside the box! Those sorts of games stick in your head.
“I probably remember the replay more than Ibrox.”