The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Raith Rovers star confident Fife side can pull off cup shock at Easter Road
Going to Easter Road with a team as massive underdogs gave Grant Gillespie the best day of his career and the midfielder is convinced he can pull off another shock with Raith Rovers this afternoon.
The 27-year-old was a key member of the Hamilton Accies side that stunned Hibs in their incredible play-off clash in 2014. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg and written off before a ball was kicked, the Lanarkshire men produced a remarkable comeback to win 2-0 before clinching promotion on penalty kicks.
Gillespie senses League One Raith have similarly been given no hope heading to the capital for their Scottish Cup fifth round tie this afternoon.
But the former Dundee United player is full of belief Easter Road can again be his field of dreams.
He said: “I have had some good times at Easter Road, the best being the playoff win for Hamilton. That’s probably been the best day and the best occasion I’ve had in my career.
“We went there 2-0 down from the first leg and were massive underdogs, but we came back and managed to beat them on penalties.
“Nobody gave us a chance, the only people who thought it was possible was ourselves. We believed it wasn’t over and we told ourselves if we could score early then it would be game on.
“That’s what happened, the crowd got jittery and we just took it from there.
“That day was proof that if you have the belief in yourself then anything is possible. The fact it was the 94th minute before we scored the second goal summed it up – we kept going and refused to give up.
“That’s the kind of attitude we need this weekend and hopefully my experience of it in the past can be a help to the rest of the lads here. We know we have good enough players to go there with no fear and enjoy the occasion.”
Hibs may be overwhelming favourites but they have managed just one win in their last eight league games and go into the tie with questions unanswered over the departure of Neil Lennon and the appointment of a new manager.
Gillespie has been around long enough to know dugout doubts can affect players on the pitch and he admits Rovers, who overcame Fife derby rivals Dunfermline in the last round, hope to play on any nerves in the home ranks.
He added: “They have had a sticky spell so getting the crowd on their backs is something we will look to do. If we press high and get on the front foot then who knows what can happen?
“We will go there with plenty of belief, we feel we can do it – you’ve got to. If we play the way we can then there’s a chance we can turn them over.
“Will Hibs be affected by not having a manager? I don’t know, but if there is any uncertainty we can take advantage. When a manager leaves it can be difficult as there is uncertainty about who is going to come in and whether they will change the style of play.
“But it can go both ways, the players might be looking to do everything to stay in the team and impress a new manager.”
Hibs coach Grant Murray has given his players the ideal insight into the dangers posed by Rovers.
Murray, who is in caretaker charge along with Eddie May, was Raith manager when the then Championship club beat top-flight Hibs in the competition five years ago.
“I said that to the players, they will come here with a belief that they can get something from the game,” said Murray, who also led Raith to a Challenge Cup final win over Rangers at Easter Road.
“I was fortunate to have played under John and we had a great cup record there. We went to Dens Park and won, next round went to Aberdeen and beat them, and we found ourselves in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
“Fortunately for myself I got the job and we had a tie at Easter Road and went there with the belief we could get something, and we did.
“We have to respect them, they are winning games, they are scoring goals. It’s up to us to focus and have the players ready.”
Murray and May are set to take charge for a fourth game as the club continues the recruitment process to replace Neil Lennon. Former Ipswich boss Jim Magilton has emerged as a favourite with ex-Leeds head coach Paul Heckingbottom and former Blackburn manager Michael Appleton also believed to be in the running.