Inverness and Falkirk are fighting for their SPL status and the rivals meet on cup business today.

The two bottom clubs in the SPL meeting today in Inverness to decide which one of them will be heading into the semi-finals of the Homecoming Scottish Cup. Falkirk head to the Highlands' capital who will be all fired up after their last minute win over Rangers in midweek which took them off the bottom of the league. Home manager Terry Butcher has hinted he could make a few changes from the team that recorded that welcome win , but is assured whoever gets the nod will do the business. Both sides will get a lift from being welcomed onto the pitch today by soldiers who are heading off the war-torn Afghanistan. The Black Watch, the Third Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland who are currently stationed at Fort George, leave for a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan at the end of the month and will be raising funds for injured soldiers families by selling wristbands at the game. Two pipers will also play the teams onto the pitch with a semi-final trip at Hampden on offer for both clubs. Inverness boss Butcher enjoys the links the army and his side already enjoy.

He said: "There's very close links between us because we train at Fort George and it'll be good to see them on Saturday before they head off to Afghanistan. They have got my admiration because we're lucky to do a job we love and the consequences are nowhere near those who are in the army. Our heart goes out to them and hopefully the crowd gives them the reception they fully deserve, but as far as our military plans on the pitch are concerned, we'll laid down our battle plans on how we can beat Falkirk."

Butcher admits the biggest task since the midweek win has been making sure the players come down to earth and are level-headed and focused as they chase their first semi-final appearance in five seasons. He said: "It was a very happy bus coming back up the road and the spirits are very high, but it's a case of getting their feet back on the ground and preparing for a different kind of match against Falkirk. It's one that we're looking forward to and we want to take the good feeling and confidence into the cup game. We all know what it means for the club in terms of finance to reach a semi final at Hampden, but Falkirk will be saying the same, because it can rescue your season and stimulate their SPL campaign. It's nice to have a semi to look forward to, when we beat Kilmarnock in the previous round this game has been in the back of our minds for a while now and hopefully it can have a spin-off effect if we can win it."

Editor
Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)

Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)

This is ScottishFitba Net