Inverness Caledonian Thistle move on from securing their first ever senior Cup Final berth to playing League 1 Stranraer and they will find the Stair Park side well-briefed on the Highlanders.
John Hughes’s side saw off Hearts on penalties last Sunday to reach next month’s Scottish League Cup Final against Aberdeen and a good run in the Scottish Cup could also be on if they add to the win that had over Morton in the last round by seeing off the Blues.
Midfielder Stephen Stirling was part of the Greenock team beaten at the end of November by Caley, however he has since moved on to re-join Stranraer and he has been passing what he learnt on to Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken and his team mates.
Stirling said: “I played in the Scottish Cup against Inverness up at their place earlier this season when I was still at Morton. It finished 4-0 to them but that score-line was a bit harsh as they scored three goals late on.”
“They scored two in the second and third minute of injury time and so I like to think we gave them a decent game.”
The 24 year old said: “They are a big powerful side that can create goals out of nothing. It will be a really hard game for Stranraer but I would like to think I can pass a few things on to the boys that will help.”
“When I played against inverness it had been a strange week at Morton as the manager who had signed me, Allan Moore, had left and David Hopkin was in charge.”
“It was his first game but we did okay however Inverness are a side that can really mix up their style of attacks and we struggled a bit to cope with that.”
Stirling added: “It is disappointing not to play in it but I will go down to Stair Park and cheer them on.”
The former Rangers youth, who has also played for Stirling Albion, is enjoying his second stint at Stranraer after re-joining them in mid-January.
Stirling said: “I have settled fully back in with the club after just a couple of weeks back. I am hoping that I can help them build on a fine first half of the season that had them in the top four.”
“When I left Morton as my contract was not renewed I was not gutted that my time there was over but I was not happy about it either. I had worked hard to get back into full time football after leaving Rangers and I have a huge regret that the Morton fans did not get to see the real me.”
“I was just coming on to my game when I got me leg broken in October 2012 and I don’t think I got time to do myself justice this season. I only got a couple of months after recovering from that injury and that was disappointing but you have to move on.”
Stirling continued: “I had spent a year at Stranraer when they were in the Third Division and I had enjoyed it. A few clubs had come in for me when they know Morton were not offering me anything else but I enjoyed my time at Stair Park so I went back there.”
“After what had happened at Morton enjoying football was important. I knew most of the guys that were still there and I wanted to be playing and be happy and I knew I would get that at Stranraer.”
Stirling and Stranraer almost won promotion the last time they were together and the midfielder said: “The season I was with Stranraer before we were challenging for promotion from the Third Division before losing out in the play-offs. I have re-joined them and they are a side that are challenging a league above now. “
“There were really good players when I was here before and more have been added to the pool. There are guys here who can step up one league or even two. That is my plan as well but the only way I can do that is if I play well here right up until the end of the season.”
“However I will not getting carried anyway and neither will anyone else we just need to take each game as it comes.”
Stirling knows enough about Aitken’s side to realise they will welcome the challenge from Hughes and his side as he explained: “Stranraer will not be intimidated as they beat Ross County earlier in the season in the Scottish League Cup. They played well that night and deserved their win and they gave Hibs a real fright in the next round before losing 5-3.”
“There is good ability in the Stranraer squad but Inverness are a good side and they are favourites to win however it is a no-lose game from Stranraer.”
It is frustrating to miss out as I have played in our last two games and I wanted to build some momentum in my playing career again.”
Whilst momentum may be missing enjoyment is back as Stirling confirmed: “To be honest coming here and playing again was a no brainers. Keith Knox was in charge before however Stevie Aitken was his assistant and there has not been too many changes. David Mitchell, Chris Aitken, Grant Gallacher and David McGregor all remain. “
“The squad is full of good boys and there is a great atmosphere with a good dressing room and that makes a massive difference going into games.”
Despite his time at Morton coming to an abrupt end he wishes the Greenock side well and reckons that his former and present club could be meeting up.
Stirling said: “Morton can still stay up and they are making a decent fist of things with a four game unbeaten run. Gary O’Connor will get sharper and get them goals. Any team that can go to Falkirk and pick up a point must be decent.”
“They will be targeting Cowdenbeath and probably Alloa to avoid the play-offs but they are leaving it late to miss the play-offs.”
“Of course we could end up playing them if they finish ninth and we finish fourth.”
Stirling said: “Ideally I would love them to stay up and that we get promoted so Stranraer can play them in the Championship next season.”
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