Musselburgh return gives Tansey a new lease of Fife

PAUL TANSEY reckons a run to the final in this season's Emirates Scottish Cup would be the perfect tonic in his bid to get over the disappointment of a bench-warming spell at East Fife.

The flying winger joined the Fifers last summer from Musselburgh Athletic but was used sparingly by both Stevie Crawford and his successor at New Bayview, Hearts legend John Robertson.

Tansey jumped at the chance of a return to Olivebank and, having scored nine goals in seven games, is surely a certain starter for David McGlynn's men when they entertain Kilbirnie Ladeside in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup on Saturday. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

"I wasn't playing at East Fife and the opportunity to come back here was too good to turn down," he said.

"Before the move to East Fife, I was on loan at Raith Rovers and the experience there was good as I was training with people like Marvin Andrews, who had played in the Champions League with Rangers.

"Then, at East Fife, I was working with Stevie Crawford, who played for Scotland, then Robbo, who has a tremendous record for Hearts and also played for Scotland.

"I was learning all the time, even though I wasn't playing. I think I only started two games and was only coming off the bench for five to ten minutes here and there.

"I wasn't getting a chance and I spoke to Robbo, telling him my situation.

"I obviously wasn't first choice and sometimes you have just got to accept situations. Now I'm delighted to be back at Musselburgh where I'm loving it."

That's partly down to the fact Tansey has been in great form since his return, with a hat-trick against Broughty Athletic two rounds ago having been followed by one in the thumping win over Renfrew in the last 16.

He also grabbed a double in last weekend's welcome Super League win over Camelon and is now looking forward to Saturday's quarter-final clash.

"Being back here is giving me the chance to play every week and I've gone on an amazing run since I came back, having scored in every game so far," he said.

"I'm getting the confidence to go and express myself again on the park. I'm scoring headers as well which is unusual.

"It would be good to get to the final. I don't think we are anywhere near being favourites to win the Scottish Cup but, in addition to myself, the manager has also brought Chris King back recently.

"We've got a decent spine to the squad."

McGlynn is delighted to have Tansey back in his ranks and is hoping he can produce a similar performance to the one against Broughty Athletic this weekend.

"He was unplayable that day," said the Musselburgh manager. "That's what we need from him again rather than the last two games, when I didn't think he did particularly great."