We Want Spot Beside Sprott

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Co-Operative Insurance Cup... Accies Up For Place In History

JAMES McCARTHY wasn't even close to being born when Adrian Sprott's winner sent Rangers crashing out of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox in 1987.

But at 17, Hamilton's new hero in the making reckons it is about time the class of 2008 made their own bit of history when they return to Glasgow in the quarter-final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup next month.

Sprott's picture still hangs on the wall at New Douglas Park as a reminder of one of the greatest moments in the club's lifetime.

But McCarthy isn't daunted by the past when he walks past the print - because he doesn't even know who it is.

Nothing fazes the talented midfielder, not even a showdown with Rangers in their own backyard following Accies' impressive win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Nor will the constant reminders of Sprott's stunning winner against Graeme Souness' star-studded side when he ended England keeper Chris Woods' British record of 1196 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

McCarthy said: "I've obviously heard about Adrian Sprott but what he did was before I was born.

"I haven't seen the goal and I don't even know if there are any old photographs around. But we are only concerned with creating our own little bit of history in the cup."

McCarthy may still be only a kid but he is already a firm favourite down New Douglas Park.

But he acknowledges he will never be forgotten if he follows in the footsteps of Sprott and hits the net against Walter Smith's men.

McCarthy said: "Fans love to see their players scoring against the Old Firm and the fact his name is still being talked about after all these years shows a winning goal against one of the Old Firm will be remembered for life."

The talented youngster is also expecting a rough ride from the Ibrox fans after he decided to pick a future with Republic of Ireland ahead of his native Scotland, opting to play for the country of his grandfather's birth.

Rangers fans can be an unforgiving lot at times but McCarthy says bring it on.

He said: "I expect to get a bit of abuse but it won't bother me.

"I'll ignore it and play my own game. I've spoken to Aiden McGeady about things but not about how to handle a hostile atmosphere. I don't really need to speak to him about that because I'm big enough to handle it by myself.

"I suppose his argument is right - if you're getting abuse from rival fans it's because they know you are a threat to their team. I won't worry about it."

Nor should he because Partick showed at Firhill on Wednesday night Rangers are not unbeatable.

McCarthy said: "It's going to be a tough game and being at Ibrox makes it even more difficult for us. But we'll look forward to it and be confident of getting a result.

"A lot of people say teams raise their game against the Old Firm and that may be the case but as players you want to give your best against the best.

"I haven't seen the Partick game yet but they were four minutes away from a penalty shoot-out and anything could have happened. We have nothing to fear and are capable of going away from home and playing to our capabilities."

McCarthy thinks this could be the time to prove how good the SPL new boys really are by embarrassing the men from Govan again.

He said: "We have progressed brilliantly in the last few years but we want to go even further and this is a great opportunity to show how good we can be."