Ibrox Preview Would Backfire For Shire Stars

Jan 13 2008 By Gordon Waddell

SHIRE boss Gordon Wylde last night admitted he has been too scared to take his players to eyeball Ibrox - in case they crumbled in front of the marble staircase.

None of the Third Division minnows has ever played in the 51,000-seat arena and the Firs Park gaffer was tempted to ask for a preview tour to let them see what they are up against this afternoon.

Now he's hoping adrenalin alone will carry them up the tunnel and through the biggest 90 minutes of their careers.

Wylde said: "I'm terrified. I don't sleep at the best of times and know this could affect all of us.

"I'd love to have taken the lads to see the place first - I saw the great publicity Chelsea got when they let their FA Cup third-round opponents Macclesfield do the same thing last season.

"But I was scared to take them through the front door to see that marble staircase. I think the foyer alone could frighten them.

"It's the biggest game we will ever be involved in. But I feel their adrenalin on the day will carry them. We're staying away overnight and will be totally professional. We will savour the occasion but also try to win."

Wylde's enthusiasm for a club so often ridiculed has lifted them from laughing stock to play-off contenders. And he's desperate to see another hoodoo broken.

He winced: "It's 23 years since Shire beat another league team in the Scottish Cup - and I played in the game. We beat Dunfermline 3-1 at East End Park.

"But we've broken a few records this season already.

"We won six games in a row for the first time in more than 40 years and have scored 46 goals."