Liam Wants To Be In The Mix

Feb 10 2008

Partick Thistle V Livingston Tuesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm

PARTICK THISTLE goal machine Liam Buchanan admits he's desperate to see off Livingston in the cup - so he can take on his boyhood heroes in the next round.

The lifelong Hibee would love a crack at Mixu Paatelainen's side and is hoping the Easter Road outfit can defeat Rangers at Ibrox and set up his dream quarter-final clash.

The 22-year-old, who was handed his big break in football by Paatelainen at Cowdenbeath, said: "A lot of the boys are hoping they get to play at Ibrox but I'd rather Hibs won as it would be a dream to play there.

"It would also be nice to see Mixu again. He had a major influence on me at Cowdenbeath and was the first boss to have enough belief to play me in the first-team regularly.

"I'd have never dreamed of playing at this level when I was a plumber and part-time under Mixu.

But we've got to get past Livi first before we can start thinking about Rangers or Hibs.

"They should have beaten us in the first game so we know how tough it will be on Tuesday night. If we can make it we would relish playing against SPL opposition and Ian McCall would have us right up for it.

"He was part of a few cup shocks when he was at Falkirk and there's no reason we couldn't do it too."

Meanwhile, Livi kid Graham Dorrans admits he is already dreaming about becoming the only player to ever swap the First Division for the glamour of the English Premiership.

The 20-year-old midfield star (right) agreed to join West Brom on the last day of the transfer window but will see out the season at Livi before joining his new club in the summer.

By then Tony Mowbray's side could be in England's top flight as they are currently flying high in the Championship title race. And Dorrans reckons he'll be the first Scot to swap Almondvale for Anfield, Old Trafford and The Emirates Stadium.

The Scotland Under-21 star said: "I'm pretty sure no player will have moved straight from the First Division to the Premiership before so it would be nice to create a bit of history.

"West Brom are doing superbly in the league and if all goes well I'll be joining a Premiership side.

"It's quite a thought but I really have to concentrate on playing for Livi until then although if West Brom are playing on a Sunday or midweek I will tune in and watch."