Hampden Park trip only incentive needed for Raith

GRANT Murray insists knowing the identity of Raith’s possible Hampden opponents should they get past Inverness Caledonian Thistle makes no odds to him or his team – because reaching a semi-final is as big an incentive as they need.
Grant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNSGrant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNS
Grant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNS

Sunday’s draw paired the winners of tonight’s re-arranged quarter-final with either Celtic or Dundee United in the last four of the Scottish Cup.

Having knocked out Rangers in the last round, Rovers will head for the Highlands today with belief they can cause another upset and make it back to Hampden for the first time since losing their 2010 semi-final against Dundee United.

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Murray said: “The big incentive for both teams is to get into the semi-final, first and foremost. It’s the same for Inverness.

Grant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNSGrant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNS
Grant Murray targets a trip to Hampden. Picture: SNS

“I’ve told the players I can tell them this, that and the next thing about how good it will be to get into a semi-final. But Inverness are in the exact same position.

“Now we just know, depending on who wins the replay, who we would face if we were fortunate enough to get through. But, no matter who we would face, it would be a big game anyway, with it being a semi-final at Hampden.

“To have got this far, we want to take it that one step further.

“Some of our players will have played in semis, some won’t.

“So, to go into a match realising you could get the club to a semi-final at Hampden should be enough incentive on its own.”

New Inverness signing Tarmo Kink has warned Caley Thistle fans not to expect too much from him straight away.

The 29-year-old Estonia international has boosted Caley Thistle’s attacking options ahead of tonight’s rearranged match which was postponed on Saturday because of the weather.

But the former Middlesbrough player is lacking in match fitness after a long gap since his last competitive game in Hungarian football.

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“I haven’t played for six months, no game practice,” he said. “But I hope I can add something positive. Let’s wait and see.

“There have been no surprises. It’s easier to settle in here because of my experience.

“I hope I can bring something extra right away but I don’t want to promise anything because you need some games in your legs to be top level.”

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