Murrayfield Racers will give Aberdeen full respect despite advantage

Big lead won't won't be taken for granted

Murrayfield Racers have been firing in the goals

Murrayfield Racers director of hockey Tony Hand says his team “will not be taking anything for granted”, despite holding an eight-goal advantage ahead of tonight’s Stuart Robertson Cup semi-final second leg at Aberdeen Lynx.

Racers look well on course to defend the trophy they won last season, and ran out 9-1 winners in the first leg at Murrayfield last week.

Hand said: “We’ve just got to treat it as a normal game, our goal has always been to win the tie and make an appearance in another final.

“We’re not taking anything for granted, I know the chances of us letting in ten are remote but we will be going up there and giving Aberdeen our full respect.”

Racers strengthened their squad this week with the signing of former Kirkcaldy Kestrel forward Garry Simpson. The 19-year-old, brother of Racers defenceman Marty Simpson, had joined Dundee Comets in the summer, but left the club earlier this season, and Hand said: “Garry contacted us after he’d left Dundee and he was already skating with another club. He’s a young guy with lot’s of skill but it will take us a year or two to develop him to where we need him to be. He comes here with no pressure, it’s just a case of him being given the chance to keep improving his game, I think he will do well here.

“As a matter of principle we would never go out to take a player from another team, and weaken them for our advantage. But, if a player has left a team, and approaches us, it would be crazy for us to refuse to speak with them.”

Racers complete their weekend by taking on Belfast Giants SNL in the Scottish National League at Murrayfield tomorrow (face-off 6pm). Fans are invited to bring along a bagged soft toy, which will be thrown on to the ice after the first Racers goal. The toys will then be given to local charity Helping Hands to be distributed as Christmas presents. During the game, Helping Hands will also be taking donations of tinned goods for their food bank.