Let's get this Sparty started

Hearts must pull their shocks up after Brora but this is a trophy Naisy can win

SCOTTISH CUP away days at this time of year always send a shiver down spine and not just because of the plunging temperatures.

Hearts fans won't need any reminding of the potential for a slip-up against lower-league opposition when they take on Spartans this weekend after their embarrassment at Brora three years ago.

There may be three divisions and 32 places between the sides but that counts for nothing if Steven Naismith's players come back from their winter break in the wrong frame of mind.

The opportunity is there to create memories for a lifetime because the Jambos should be looking to win the competition.

I never got that lucky. But I've got plenty of memories from the Scottish Cup nonetheless.

At Ayr we drew Lochee United at their ground in Dundee. Not a problem... or so we thought.

The first game was called off because the pitch was frozen solid, which wasn't unusual.

But when it got called off for a FIFTH time it became a major headache because it kept taking priority over the league games, meaning we had gone three weeks without a match.

Even then it had to go ahead on a Wednesday lunchtime because they had no floodlights.