CONNOR Campbell says Rangers are relishing the opportunity to reach another Glasgow Cup final as they square off against Partick Thistle this evening.
The young Gers are holders of the competition after their Old Firm triumph in last season’s final – played in December – and were victorious in each of their three group phase fixtures.
For Campbell and his teammates, there is also the added motivation to make amends for their Scottish Youth Cup exit at the hands of a young Partick Thistle side earlier this campaign.
Speaking to the official Rangers website ahead of this evening’s clash, he commented: “Everyone is up for it, and what adds to it is that we got knocked out of the Scottish Youth Cup by Partick Thistle. There is perhaps a bit of a revenge factor.
“But I think we need to be focussed and not too emotional, especially from the start, as games can run away from us if we do.
“We thought we were favourites to go on and win [the Scottish Cup], then we get knocked out early.
“You look at the final between Dundee and Kilmarnock and there’s the thought that it should have been us again.
“It feels like we can rectify that game and that the opportunity is there to go and win the competition.”
Campbell was on the substitutes bench for last season’s final as Rangers ran out 3-2 winners in a pulsating content.
The young defender was a late call-up to the squad and, despite not taking to the pitch, insists it was just as sweet to join in with the post-match celebrations.
He continued: “It felt a bit awkward at the start because I hadn’t been in any of the squads leading into it.
“I got put in for the final because Leyton [Grant] pulled out due to illness earlier in the day, and just watching the game and observing the intensity was a good experience.
“And after you win you learn that, even if I didn’t play, I was still a part of it and I should enjoy it.
“It was good, especially beating Celtic which made it even better.
“I remember Cole McKinnon playing that night, as well as a few more first-team players, and the standard just got higher and higher.”
As well as the side’s hunger to lift the Glasgow Cup, Campbell has been a regular member of the Under-18s side who are battling to lift the league title.
It has brought about a relentless schedule of games where the young side are playing every three days.
Campbell added: “It’s tough to an extent, but you start to get more used to it.
“Of course, training gets tweaked and becomes a little bit lighter with more emphasis on recovery.
“My body has started to adapt, but the first three weeks [of the season] is really tough.
“It can be mentally draining. It’s on us to a certain degree, but you’re also keeping an eye on Hibs who we’re competing alongside.
“But you need to enjoy it because we’re going for a league title, and I’d much rather be mentally drained going for a league title than have nothing to play for.”
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