It is to Hampden Park on Sunday for Dunfermline Athletic again as the Pars go head to head with CIS Insurance Cup winners Hibernian for a place in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final. This will be the Athletic's 4th visit to the national stadium in 3 years as we look to take a step closer to picking up our first piece of silverware since lifting the cup way back in 1968.
Stephen Kenny's men will arrive in Glasgow in confident mood despite remaining anchored to the bottom of the Premier League. 9 points from their previous 12 have taken the Pars to within 4 points of second bottom St Mirren, renewing hope and belief that Dunfermline can yet again pull off a miraculous "great escape". Add to that the fact that Hibs were defeated by a goal to nil at East End Park on Saturday then it would seem we have every right to feel confident we can take our place against either Celtic or St Johnstone in May's showpiece.
Preparations for Sunday have gone smoothly in the Athletic camp. Kenny and his players have been in the media talking up their chances of pulling off an upset against a side that Kenny has described as "excellent".
By contrast though, the Leith side's preparations could not have been more different. Since that 1-0 reverse last weekend, rumours were circulating about a bust up in the dressing room and it came to a head as it emerged several Hibs players met with chairman Rod Petrie to voice their discontent over boss John Collins' training regime, squad rotation and tactics.
However, Collins has stood firm and with good reason. Since taking over from Tony Mowbray, the former Scotland international has safely guided his side into the SPL's top six and delivered their first trophy in sixteen years as they thrashed Kilmarnock in the final of the League Cup. Football never ceases to amaze- a couple of bad results after being so successful and the manager seems to be under pressure.
While the clubs have had varying fortunes on the pitch, Dunfermline's road to Hampden has undoubtedly given the support a huge boost having knocked out good sides en route. If Dunfermline were to go all the way, it could be argued it could be the greatest cup triumph for a considerable length of time.
It started back in January when Rangers arrived at East End Park. Until that point, the Pars had gone 9 league games without scoring but incredibley led 3-0 after only 49 minutes thanks to Jim Hamilton, Stephen Simmons and Phil McGuire. Although Kris Boyd pulled 2 goals back, the Fifers clung on for a deserved victory.
And so to round four, and with Pars fans hoping for an easier tie, they were paired with cup holders Hearts at East End Park. A large crowd witnessed an enthralling second half and a magnificent performance from Adam Hammill, who appropriately set up the winning goal for Scott Wilson in the dying seconds. The Pars support began to believe and that belief grew when Partick Thistle were drawn at home for the quarter final. The Jags had been beaten in runs to the 1968 and 2004 finals and were comfortably disposed of again by 2 Stephen Simmons goals to nil.
Hibs road to the semi final has been a lot more comfortable. They were though handed a tough draw away to Aberdeen in round 3 and after securing a 2-2 draw, they thrashed the Dons 4-1 in the Easter Road replay with an absolutely dazzling show of pace, skill and power. Last season's beaten finalists were then comfortably beaten 3-1 at Easter Road before making the trip to Palmerston to play Queen of the South.
Despite being given a very big scare by the First Division side, goals from David Murphy and Thomas Sowunmi won the day for the Hibees.
For Dunfermline, it is a massive opportunity to not only reach the final, but to keep the momentum going ahead of two massive league games with Dundee United and St Mirren which could decide whether we survive in the SPL. For Hibs, they are still looking to get the monkey of not winning the Scottish Cup since 1902 off their back, so it should be an intriguing semi final.
Hopefully a good support will 'Go West' to cheer the team on to another Hampden final.
Come on ye Pars!
Latest team news:
Stephen Glass misses out as he is on loan from Hibs, while Tam McManus is ineligible having been on the bench for Falkirk in an earlier round. Darren Young has resumed training but will miss out due to a lack of fitness, while Stevie Crawford is a doubt with a back problem. Scott Wilson returns to the defence from suspension.
Squad: De Vries, Bamba, McGuire, Shields, S.Morrison, O'Brien, Mason, Hammill, McIntyre, Crawford, Muirhead, Thomson, Burchill, McKenzie, McCunnie, Ross, Ryan, Wilson.
Probable team:
De Vries
Shields Wilson McGuire S.Morrison
O'Brien Mason McCunnie Hammill
Burchill McIntyre.
Stephen Kenny's men will arrive in Glasgow in confident mood despite remaining anchored to the bottom of the Premier League. 9 points from their previous 12 have taken the Pars to within 4 points of second bottom St Mirren, renewing hope and belief that Dunfermline can yet again pull off a miraculous "great escape". Add to that the fact that Hibs were defeated by a goal to nil at East End Park on Saturday then it would seem we have every right to feel confident we can take our place against either Celtic or St Johnstone in May's showpiece.
Preparations for Sunday have gone smoothly in the Athletic camp. Kenny and his players have been in the media talking up their chances of pulling off an upset against a side that Kenny has described as "excellent".
By contrast though, the Leith side's preparations could not have been more different. Since that 1-0 reverse last weekend, rumours were circulating about a bust up in the dressing room and it came to a head as it emerged several Hibs players met with chairman Rod Petrie to voice their discontent over boss John Collins' training regime, squad rotation and tactics.
However, Collins has stood firm and with good reason. Since taking over from Tony Mowbray, the former Scotland international has safely guided his side into the SPL's top six and delivered their first trophy in sixteen years as they thrashed Kilmarnock in the final of the League Cup. Football never ceases to amaze- a couple of bad results after being so successful and the manager seems to be under pressure.
While the clubs have had varying fortunes on the pitch, Dunfermline's road to Hampden has undoubtedly given the support a huge boost having knocked out good sides en route. If Dunfermline were to go all the way, it could be argued it could be the greatest cup triumph for a considerable length of time.
It started back in January when Rangers arrived at East End Park. Until that point, the Pars had gone 9 league games without scoring but incredibley led 3-0 after only 49 minutes thanks to Jim Hamilton, Stephen Simmons and Phil McGuire. Although Kris Boyd pulled 2 goals back, the Fifers clung on for a deserved victory.
And so to round four, and with Pars fans hoping for an easier tie, they were paired with cup holders Hearts at East End Park. A large crowd witnessed an enthralling second half and a magnificent performance from Adam Hammill, who appropriately set up the winning goal for Scott Wilson in the dying seconds. The Pars support began to believe and that belief grew when Partick Thistle were drawn at home for the quarter final. The Jags had been beaten in runs to the 1968 and 2004 finals and were comfortably disposed of again by 2 Stephen Simmons goals to nil.
Hibs road to the semi final has been a lot more comfortable. They were though handed a tough draw away to Aberdeen in round 3 and after securing a 2-2 draw, they thrashed the Dons 4-1 in the Easter Road replay with an absolutely dazzling show of pace, skill and power. Last season's beaten finalists were then comfortably beaten 3-1 at Easter Road before making the trip to Palmerston to play Queen of the South.
Despite being given a very big scare by the First Division side, goals from David Murphy and Thomas Sowunmi won the day for the Hibees.
For Dunfermline, it is a massive opportunity to not only reach the final, but to keep the momentum going ahead of two massive league games with Dundee United and St Mirren which could decide whether we survive in the SPL. For Hibs, they are still looking to get the monkey of not winning the Scottish Cup since 1902 off their back, so it should be an intriguing semi final.
Hopefully a good support will 'Go West' to cheer the team on to another Hampden final.
Come on ye Pars!
Latest team news:
Stephen Glass misses out as he is on loan from Hibs, while Tam McManus is ineligible having been on the bench for Falkirk in an earlier round. Darren Young has resumed training but will miss out due to a lack of fitness, while Stevie Crawford is a doubt with a back problem. Scott Wilson returns to the defence from suspension.
Squad: De Vries, Bamba, McGuire, Shields, S.Morrison, O'Brien, Mason, Hammill, McIntyre, Crawford, Muirhead, Thomson, Burchill, McKenzie, McCunnie, Ross, Ryan, Wilson.
Probable team:
De Vries
Shields Wilson McGuire S.Morrison
O'Brien Mason McCunnie Hammill
Burchill McIntyre.
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