My cup’s half full as I miss out on international break

When the Scotland team are in action during an international week, the majority of Scottish clubs normally train their players all week and then give them the weekend off.

However, for Livingston, this weekend will see us play Berwick Rangers in the quarter-finals of the Ramsdens Cup at Shielfield Park.

Over the years I personally have enjoyed the international breaks. The majority of club managers tend to give the boys Saturday and Sunday off, unless that is, their team has not been performing!

During the international week the boys are quite happy to receive extra running in training, knowing that they can relax and enjoy a free weekend.

A lot of clubs organise a golf day or the team will meet up to watch the Scotland match together, which then usually leads to a night out.

However this is not the case this week, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

So while others will be nursing their hangovers on Sunday morning after Scotland’s massive Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic, my Livingston team mates and I will be waking up, full of excitement and anticipation for our match with Berwick.

I am really looking forward to playing in a cup quarter-final. Who wouldn’t?

Over the past two seasons I have enjoyed the success of winning two trophies and I am hungry for more.

The cup can also be seen as distraction away from the league.

I don’t feel we are in need of a distraction, but it is nice to have a different type of game against other opposition.

The First Division has been everything we expected it to be. Demanding, physical, frustrating and challenging. Last Saturday’s match against Hamilton proved this.

It was a 1-1 draw that had every possible emotion rolled into one epic battle – as exciting as it was frustrating.

This Sunday gives us a fantastic chance to reach the last four in the cup and I can’t wait.

We are all well aware of how tough it is going to be. On the way to winning the Third Division two seasons ago Livingston were unable to beat Berwick in four attempts.

That is something we want to put right. The gaffer and his assistant Scott Patterson will have us well fired up for this one.

So as the nation and the Scotland squad prepare for Saturday’s qualifying match against the Czechs, Livingston FC will be fully focused on our huge match on Sunday.

And who knows, if we win, the manager may well let us have a team night out on the Sunday!