I've Scaled Mountains But Gers Tie Is Summit Special

Jan 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

Rangers V East Stirling Wed, Kick Off 7.45pm

CARL THYWISSEN prepared for the biggest game of his life by scaling the Nevis Range in Fort William last week.

But the Norwegian reckons that gruelling 4,000-foot challenge was a walk in the park compared to facing Rangers this Wednesday.

Thywissen believes the real mountain he has to climb will be at Ibrox when he tries to defy massive odds of 66-1 by helping East Stirling topple the SPL leaders in the rearranged David and Goliath Scottish Cup tie.

Heading for the hills with girlfriend Johanna enabled him to clear his head before the big match - now he aims to reach for the stars in midweek.

Thywissen said: "Norwegians like nature and I haven't done much walking since I moved to Glasgow.

"My girlfriend Johanna is an outdoor person as well so last Wednesday we took a day off work and sincewe'd never been to Fort William and the weather was good we made a day trip.

"We walked up the Nevis Range which is 4,000 feet. It was a good challenge and my legs were like spaghetti when I got home that night.

"But it was a good day, it was blue skies and the sun was out so we got a nice tan as well! That's the biggest walk I've taken in Scotland.

"I have to say though the trek in Fort William was a walk in the park compared to tackling Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday night - that will be much tougher.

"I'm trying not to think too much about the game because it will mess my head up so getting away from it all was a good idea although the match was always in the back of my mind.

"Obviously it is going to be a mountain to climb and a lot will depend on what team Rangers put out but they have a big squad with quality players.

"It was a disappointment the game was called off last week. It was difficult for the players and fans to accept because there was such a big build-up.

"When we were told on Sunday the game had been cancelled it was such a letdown but I'm looking forward to Wednesday for what will be a big day for the club and me."

Thywissen revealed his Rangers-daft work colleagues used to give him pelters when countryman and big-money signing Tore Andre Flo flopped at Ibrox.

But he's hoping to turn the tables on them on Wednesday night by scoring or, even better, helping Shire to a shock result.

Thywissen said: "I work in the finance department of Shell's Glasgow city centre office where there are lots of Gers fans so they are looking forward to it.

"When Flo was at Ibrox and didn't have the best of times they used to blame me for it just because he's Norwegian.

"All these years later it's funny to think I will be running out at Ibrox and hopefully I can get the last laugh on those guys who used to wind me up.

"To be fair it has always been good banter and they have taken me to Ibrox in the past. The match that sticks out is against Porto in the Champions League when they had a spare ticket.

"The atmosphere was brilliant and it's hard to believe I will be part of something similar. I've never been involved in such a massive game so it will be the peak of my career.

"The rest of the Shire players are all Scottish and most support one of the Old Firmbut being a foreigner I'm more neutral.

"I support both teams in Europe but this game still means so much to me despite not having been brought up in Scotland and steeped in the tradition of football in the country."