Experienced managers from opposite ends of the leagues take each other on in 10 days time. Which one will be the top old dog?

Forfar and Rangers will have to wait till 18 February to see who will move on to the next round due to today's game being postponed due to a frozen pitch. The Station Park ground failed an 8:30 inspection which meant that travelling fans can pack away the thermal underwear for a few days. Both sides will therefore be in the sixth round draw which has also been postponed. The draw was scheduled to be made after today's game in Forfar but has been put back by a few days with the SFA still to decide when and where the draw will take place.

So, what do do on a freezing Sunday with no football in Scotland? Forfar players will have been psyched up for the opportunity to make all the headlines if they managed to pull off the giant-killing act so beloved of the media. They will now have to come down a piece to be built up again by manager Dick Campbell for the re-arranged mid-week tie. The move to a Wednesday night game will have an impact on the size of the crowd and travelling support which may not be a bad thing for Forfar in terms of freezing, in the playing sense of the word, when they do line up against the trophy holders. Campbell will have a new face to help his stretched squad as St Andrews United defender Mark McGuigan has joined after playing as a trialist and was in line to face the Light Blues today. Speaking before the game was postponed, Campbell said: "Losing on-loan signing Keith Watson to injury recently was a real blow - for he was as good a player as I have seen. But getting Andy Tod to commit to the club for 18 months is a big one for us as well as adding a few more bodies. We are obviously going into a huge game but I've told the lads not to fear it, but to enjoy the experience."

Playing a midweek game is not an unusual occurrence for Rangers and manager Walter Smith will not allow his players to be complacent about their Third Division opposition when they meet in 10 days time. Kenny Miller did not train on Friday but was planning to be involved despite struggling with a tight hamstring. The delay will allow him to be ready for the cup game. Madjid Bougherra is of the same mind as his manager and insists there is no danger of Rangers underestimating their opponents. Bougherra was used to being the underdog in such cup ties before his summer switch to Ibrox from Charlton and knows Forfar will be ready to pounce on any lack of commitment shown by Smith's men. Looking forward to the postponed game, he said: "Forfar will play at 200% so if we lose the concentration, we can lose the game. Cup games are very different, the mentality is different. We need to score quickly and then hopefully the game is over."

Editor
Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)

Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)

This is Scottish-Fitba.Net