Craig: I'll go one better

Sep 7 2008

Clyde V Ross County Today, Kick-Off 3.00pm

ROSS COUNTY striker Steven Craig has reached a cup semi-final twice and would love to go one better in the ALBA Challenge Cup this season.

The 27-year-old scored at Hampden for old club Motherwell in 2003 when they lost 4-3 to Rangers in a Scottish Cup semi-final thriller.

And he crashed out in the last four of the same competition again three years later when Gretna beat his Dundee side 3-0.

Craig knows the Challenge Cup doesn't hold the same prestige but - with a new sponsor and the final being shown live on the BBC's Alba channel - he is desperate to go all the way.

County face a difficult trip to Broadwood for a quarter-final clash with Clyde this afternoon but Craig insists his side can stay on track for the trophy they won two seasons ago.

He said: "SPL clubs aren't involved so this is our best chance of getting to a final.

"Everyone involved takes it seriously. I've made the Scottish Cup semis twice and it would be nice to go one better.

"We want to win the trophy especially with the final being shown live on TV. It's a great chance for everyone to put themselves in the shop window.

"We know we can be in the title mix at the end of the season and a cup win would give us a massive boost."

Clyde will be hoping Rangers loan stars Alan Lowing and Paul Emslie turn on the style against County this afternoon.

And defender Billy Gibson has urged manager John Brown to bring in more kids on the fringes at their SPL clubs.

Gibson was in the same position at Rangers eight years ago and now regrets not going out on loan earlier.

He said: "I'd love to see the club sign more guys like Alan and Paul - not just from the Old Firm but from other SPL sides.

"In fact, there should be a rule saying you HAVE to take young players from the top flight to give them experience.

"I didn't get a loan move until I was 22 but now wish I went out a lot earlier.

"Playing at this level will shock Alan and Paul because you get even less time on the ball. But it will help them in the long run."

Gibson can't remember the last time he got to a cup final and would love to win the Challenge Cup with Clyde.

He said: "My last final was probably in the Glasgow Cup at Rangers. People have a go at the Challenge Cup but it's our best chance of winning a trophy."