Partick Thistle Football Club

On Sunday we will have the opportunity to reach our first National Cup Final for 37 years. Airdrie United will provide a not inconsiderable hurdle to a place in the final and we will need to try and get past them without the services of both Gary Harkins and Jonny Tuffey.

While Harkins is suspended Tuffey is away on international duty with Northern Ireland giving Craig Hinchcliffe the opportunity to make only his third appearance of the season. It's an occasion that the Jags' custodian is clearly relishing.

"I'm really looking forward to the match. Obviously this season my appearances have been limited because Jonny Tuffey has been performing exceptionally well. His call up into the Northern Ireland squad, which is thoroughly deserved, though gives me the chance to get a game again. The fact that it is a cup semi-final and against my first Club Airdrie just adds a little spice to things."

Doubling up as a goalkeeping coach at Firhill there a few better placed to comment on the progress of Jonny Tuffey and Craig is fulsome in his praise of the player that is keeping him out of the Thistle first team.

"There is no doubt that Jonny has really claimed the number one jersey for himself with some great performances both this season and in the second half of last season. I want to play, that's why you are involved in football but when you get to my age you have to take some pleasure from seeing someone that you work so closely with doing so well for themselves, especially when I have that coaching role to fill at Firhill as well."

"I was the first to congratulate Jonny when he was called up in the Northern Ireland squad. Goalkeepers naturally work very closely with each other although that doesn't necessarily mean that they get on. We are fortunate in that myself and Jonny do get on really well together. We work together and we socialise together as well. I'm genuinely delighted for him and believe that this is just the start of things for him."

Returning to Sunday's game Craig and team mate Ian Maxwell have experience of not just playing in a Challenge Cup Final but in a winning team as well and have been sharing that experience with their present team mates.

"Myself and Ian Maxwell were part of the St Mirren side that won the Challenge Cup about two or three years ago St Mirren played Hamilton Accies at Airdrie United's ground and it was a full house with a huge turnout of supporters from both teams and there was a cracking atmosphere at the game. We've been trying to stress to the other players that if we can get past Airdrie United in the semi-final then the have the chance to be involved in a massive occasion in the Final."

You can read the full text of Craig's interview in Sunday's programme.

For early team news for Sunday please check www.ptfc.co.uk tomorrow morning.