What Cup Final?

Last updated : 10 March 2007 By Ed_ScottishFitba
Inverness head to Rugby Park today hoping that their hosts will be looking forward to next weekend's CIS Cup final. However, they may be disappointed if Kilmarnock's Paul Di Giacomo is to be believed. A win for Killie would go a long way to securing their place in the top six of the SPL as they would nine points ahead of the chasing pack with just three games left to the split for most clubs. Manager Jim Jefferies has warned his players they must focus on getting the league points before turning their minds to the Hampden clash with Hibs next weekend. Di Giacomo said: "
The gaffer has made us pretty aware that our priority is top six, the cup final is a massive bonus. The priority is to get the result on Saturday - we're not there yet - but to make sure we're in the top six. We obviously all want to be involved, if I'm playing on Saturday I'll be doing my utmost to make sure I'm in the starting 11 for the Sunday. I'm desperate to play in the final obviously but we (must) make sure the team wins and the final will take care of itself."

Di Giacomo managed to make his first start of 2007 last Saturday against St Mirren and set up both goals in a 2-0 win. He excelled in a right midfield role on his full return from a lay-off with a fractured cheekbone. He said: "
I've played there before, it's no problem. I've got good legs and good energy, that's why he (Jefferies) likes me there. I'll play anywhere, I just want to play football. It took a bit of getting used to, I was unsure of myself a bit in the first half. But I settled down and the team settled down in the second half. I thought I did fine, I hope I have done enough to stay in the team." Di Giacomo found the strength to burst forward and set up Colin Nish's second goal late in the game despite his lack of first-team action. He said: "I'm generally quite a fit lad so I knew that wouldn't be a problem. It's just your touch and sharpness you maybe miss out on when you're injured. But the more games you get the better you get." The Glasgow-born player is now looking for a run in the team to help him win a new contract in the summer. He said: "I'm out of contract but I'll wait and see what happens with that. I'm not too worried about that just now, I've just got to concentrate on the games in hand. The better I do in the games the more I've got to negotiate with."
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