EVENING TIMES REPORTS
by Bert Mitchell

JOHN BEATTIE says tomorrow's SHE Scottish Cup semi-final at Burnbrae against Glasgow Hawks is West of Scotland's biggest game in 10 years.

A gate of around 1500 is expected to see a derby which will pit Beattie's newly-promoted Premiership Two side against a Hawks team that are triple Premiership One champs but have endured a disappointing top flight campaign this term.

And, although Beattie is relishing the challenge, he realises the size of the task facing his team.

The former Scotland and British Lions legend said: "We know we will have to raise our game to its absolute maximum.

"If we want to have a chance against Hawks, we must match their mobility.

"Not since Dave Barret converted a penalty to get West promoted to the top flight back in season 1996-97, in front of 3000-plus at Burnbrae, have we had a game of this size.

"So it's also important that the lads go out there and enjoy the game and the day."

West have already accounted for a Premiership One scalp, Dundee HSFP, in the quarter-finals - and, with former Scotland and Lions skipper Gordon Bulloch in their pack, the home juggernaut might have the edge up front.

But Hawks' expansive style and pace across the backline may hand the visitors a vital advantage.

Still, it's clear Beattie views the return of the big time - and an opportunity to claim his club's first National Cup Final place - as a win-win situation, whatever the outcome.

He said: "We'd have been happy if our season had ended a fortnight back when we beat Dundee in the quarters and had booked our promotion to Premiership Two.

"But hopefully the Milngavie and Bearsden public, as well as the neutral, will turn out in force."

By contrast, Beattie's opposite number at Hawks, David Wilson - himself a Scottish Cup winner with the Anniesland club - admits the pressure is all on his men.

He said: "We have everything to lose and West have everything to win. But it is a great day for Glasgow club rugby.

"For too long now we've been robbed of the big derby games at the top level and we'll certainly be taking a good few hundred along to Burnbrae.

"What we must make sure is that mentally we are right for this game."


SRU chief executive Gordon McKie has told a consortium of businessman interested in buying Glasgow Warriors the governing body is reluctant to relinquish control of the professional team.

McKie confirmed the Union has been in talks with the London-based group about taking over Warriors since October last year.

However, McKie said: "We would not be readily willing to give away control of Glasgow given that we have recently closed the Borders."

This article was posted on 20-Apr-2007, 22:08 by Hugh Barrow.