Former Hibs assistant eyeing Scottish Cup success with Tynecastle

Managing his first-ever game in the competition as his Tynie boys host Lowland League outfit Cumbernauld Colts at Meggetland in the 2nd Preliminary Round tomorrow, McLeish has considerable experience in the competition from a coaching capacity.

Assistant to Mixu Paatlelainen when the Finn was in charge at Cowdenbeath then Hibs, McLeish’s last involvement in the national cup was a 2-0 Edinburgh Derby defeat to Hearts at Easter Road in January 2009, with Christian Nade and Gary Glen on the scoresheet for the Jambos against ten man Hibs who had striker Steven Fletcher sent off.

McLeish’s Tynecastle go into tomorrow’s tie with a long unbeaten home record stretching back over two years, and it is one they are looking to preserve.

“You always want a home tie in any cup,” said McLeish. “Cumbernauld will be feeling they are the favourites for it because they are in a higher league, however, when they realise that we haven’t been beaten since 2018 at home, it will maybe be a harder game than they’ll expect. I watched them play against Spartans last Friday and Spartans were tremendous, I don’t think it was a fair reflection on Cumbernauld because Spartans were so good. I’m sure they will be ready and waiting for us.

“A lot of the boys played in the Scottish last season, but that said it does have that special bit of interest for the boys. We have tried to juggle it to make sure that whilst it is focused enough on the game, it is not overly focusing so they don’t become overanxious about the game that is coming, we have kept them calm and their excitement of the game in check.

“We are hoping for the best from the boys that they can turn up on the day and give us a right good performance and get us through to the next round of the cup.”

McLeish, who took over at Tynecastle on the eve of the new campaign, has been pleased with how well his squad has progressed since he came in.

He continued: “I’m not going to say we are a different team, we are just more organised and more together. They are more used to my ways and I am more used to their ways, and we are becoming a really strong unit. The big thing for us has been asking the guys to play without fear, to get on the ball, go and pass it and express themselves, and I think they have really taken to it. We’ve made a lot of inroads, a lot of progress and hopefully that can continue.”

Elsewhere, East of Scotland Premier leaders Tranent Juniors will take part in their first-ever Scottish Cup tie when they visit Edinburgh University. It is also a momentous day for Haddington Athletic and Newtongrange Star who are all making their first appearance in the competition since becoming licenced clubs.

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