Cowdenbeath to benefit from Rangers Scottish Cup tie

Cowdenbeath player-manager Colin Nish says a money-spinning Scottish Cup tie against Rangers could help get his club back on track.

The Fife club were relegated from the Scottish Championship on the final day of last season, despite going into the game a place above the play-offs and two spots ahead of automatic demotion.

But results conspired against them that day, resulting in them finishing bottom of the 10-team division.

Playing in League One now, without the financial boost of four games against Hibs and Rangers, the club has had to cut back on costs.

As a result, the Blue Brazil find themselves eighth in the table, just a point above the relegation play-off.

However, a 4-2 win in their Scottish Cup third-round replay against Arbroath has set them up with a lucrative showpiece at Ibrox, which former Kilmarnock striker Nish believes can elevate the club to where they feel they should be.

The game has been chosen by Sky Sports for live broadcast on January 10, ensuring a healthy pay day for the Fifers regardless of the result.

Nish, 34, said: "I think after last season being in the Championship and then dropping down a division, financially we didn't have a lot to spend on players. We have got a very young squad. I think the average age of the squad is about 21 or 22.

"We did try and wheel and deal a little bit at the beginning of the season, but things happened a bit late and that cost us a couple of league games form wise.

"But the Rangers tie does give the club a chance if they feel like it to strengthen the squad at some point because of the financial benefits of the game."

Nish, who was appointed as player/manager in the summer following the resignation of Jimmy Nichol, added: "There are a couple that will have played there before. We have Fraser Kerr who was at Motherwell last year; we've got other boys who were at Cowdenbeath when we played them at Ibrox last year as well.

"I'm just happy for the players and for the supporters really. For the players to play in a nice stadium, against a good team live on Sky, it's great for them. For the supporters, whether they're coming to the game or watching it on Sky Sports it'll be great for them, so that's my main thought.

"I'll go and watch Rangers and plan like I plan for every game that we play in. They're a difficult team to hurt. Realistically it will be a very tough game but all we can do is set up right and go and let the boys enjoy themselves and play."

Nish started in Cowdenbeath's 0-0 draw with Rangers in the Scottish Championship in March and has won at Ibrox before in his career with Kilmarnock. Former Rangers striker Steven Naismith scored the winner in an SPL match in May 2007, as Nish helped guide Killie to a top-half finish.

On his experiences against the blue half of Glasgow, Nish said: "I think when I played there my main memories are that it was always very tough games. It was always a great place to go and there's never really pressure to go and win games when you go and play the likes of Rangers and Celtic.

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"I think in maybe the last five years it's changed with teams now going there with a bit more expectation of getting points from them. Although they are a very good team just now and they've got a chance with Hibernian to go into the Premiership next season"

You can see how Colin Nish's Cowdenbeath fare when they take on Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup 4th round, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, January 10, at 1pm.