Tam out of cup tie

By Ray Mcgrath
January 9 2004

HIBS striker Tam McManus was today nursing a Tennent’s Scottish Cup hangover after the SFA confirmed he’s suspended for tomorrow’s clash against holders Rangers.

The Scotland Future star has had a one-match ban carried over from last season after picking up two yellow cards in the competition.

McManus was booked as Hibs drew 1-1 with Dunfermline in the fourth round at East End Park and was yellow-carded again as the Pars won the replay at Easter Road 2-0. However, the bad news for Hibs was tempered by the fact that Rangers skipper Craig Moore will also miss the tie of the round at Easter Road after finding himself in a similar position to McManus.

The Australian defender was booked in the semi-final of last season’s competition and again as Rangers defeated Dundee in the final to clinch the treble for boss Alex McLeish.

Hibs boss Bobby Williamson will, however, be able to call on the services of Derek Riordan, the club’s top scorer this season, the striker now free of suspension after missing last weekend’s victory over Partick Thistle following his red card against Celtic the previous week.

Williamson admitted losing McManus was a blow, but suggested the loss of Moore was just as detrimental to Rangers’ hopes while revealing he doesn’t agree with the current disciplinary rules.

He said: "I don’t think two yellow cards in these circumstances should amount to what, in effect, is a red card. Two bookings in a game fair enough, but I’ll bet McManus had probably forgotten those yellow cards would lead to a suspension this season."

Williamson warned his players not to be influenced by the negative headlines which have enveloped Rangers following their 3-0 defeat by Celtic last Saturday, a result which leaves them trailing their arch-rivals by 11 points in the League with even McLeish admitting Martin O’Neill’s players can only throw the title away.

He said: "I wouldn’t read too much into things. Games can change in a split-second and there’s probably no better example than Rangers last visit to Easter Road when they scored what proved to be the winner deep into injury time."

The Hibs boss, though, shares the optimism of Easter Road fans that they can become the first club to earn a place in the fourth round draw.

He said: "I always fancy our chances no matter who we are playing. We’ll adopt the same approach to this game as we do to every match we play.

"We’ve got a couple of guys trying to shake off knocks and we’ll see how they are tomorrow but everyone is desperate to play in this game and that’s how it should be - these are the matches you want to be involved in."

Meanwhile, Hibs today revealed police have agreed tickets for tomorrow’s match, which kicks off at 12.30pm to accommodate the television cameras, can be sold at the Easter Road turnstiles.

Tickets sales have been described as "very steady" throughout the week but Hibs hope this move will sway those supporters who’ve decided to make a last-minute decision.

Colin McNeill, director of marketing and communication, said: "We found in the CIS Cup semi-final match against Celtic last month that there was a significant ‘walk-up’ attendance on the night after we made a similar move."

If tomorrow’s match ends in a draw the replay will take place at Ibrox on Tuesday, January 20, with a 7.45pm kick-off."