TV a bonus for last four in Alba Cup

Published on Friday 12 September 2008 00:07

PARTICK Thistle will play Airdrie United, and Ross County will face Morton in the Alba Challenge Cup following yesterday's semi-final draw. And, with one tie set to be screened live on new Gaelic TV Channel, MG Alba, all four teams will be hoping the cameras are rolling when their match kicks off on Sunday, 12 October.

An announcement is expected over the next 24 hours as to which semi-final tie will be shown, and Scottish Football League chief executive David Longmuir said: "This is a very exciting stage as this is where Alba step in and start filming games. The prize pot has been increased and this is a tournament very much worth winning."

Derek Adams is delighted his Ross County side will play at home after having a run of away games recently. Adams, whose team also play Morton in the First Division eight days before the cup clash, said: "I am absolutely delighted at having a home draw.

"With the Gaelic language so strong in our community we should be in with a good shout of being the live match. This will be a hard game as Morton had a great result at Queen of the South in the last round."

Morton chairman Douglas Rae is looking forward to the Sunday afternoon kick-off but admitted the draw could have been kinder to the Cappielow club. "There were potentially six different draws and when we listed them in order of preference Ross County away was our sixth choice as we play up there in the league the week before," said Rae.

"Our numbers may go down for the league trip, but I reckon with the games now being on a Sunday we will take between 700 and 1,000 supporters for the cup-tie."

Partick Thistle first-team coach John Henry was pleased to get a home draw but knows Airdrie are a tough proposition in another all-First Division clash. "You have to be happy with a home draw," he said. "Airdrie are a decent side who have been on a good run recently and they will be out for revenge after our recent 1-0 victory at New Broomfield."

Airdrie player-coach Paul Lovering has gone further already in this competition than in any of his previous 15 years as a player and he has no intentions of stopping at the last-four stage. "Semi-finals are always tough," he said "but after waiting 15 years to get to the semi-final stage, I want to get to the final."

ALBA CHALLENGE CUP

Semi-final draw: Partick Thistle v Airdrie United; Ross County v Greenock Morton. (Ties to be played on Sunday 12 October)