YOU'LL never win anything with kids, apparently.

You hesitate to use the term 'healthy trade' in connection with Greggs the Bakers, but the Aikenhead Road outlet was certainly doing brisk business yesterday lunchtime as the Hibs fans made their way to Hampden.

Gary Holt had only been in the Falkirk job five minutes when he rang up a trusted friend to find out what he made of the squad he had inherited.

Hibernian's enduring wait to win the Scottish Cup again is best understood when put in context.

Gary Holt still bears a tattoo on his leg in honour of his 1997 Scottish Cup triumph with Kilmarnock, yet the former Scotland midfielder insists it was the reaction of the losing Falkirk fans which left the truly lasting imprint.

All Dunfermline Athletic can rely on now is their survival instinct.

THE allure of success remains strong for Alex Smith.

THE William Scottish Cup semi-final draw made for uncomfortable viewing for Johnny Russell.

HAVING waited 78 years to reach a semi-final, you might think the Hamilton Academical supporters would be given to patience, but the abuse that rained down on Willie Collum and his officials at full-time suggested otherwise.

ALI CRAWFORD was introduced to the first team at Hamilton Academical at the age of 15, although he might have chosen different words.

IT may not be to everyone's taste, but the tones of Tony Christie will be forever etched on the soul of Lyle Taylor after this season, with yesterday's 4-1 William Hill Scottish Cup win over Forfar Athletic doing little to help.

Steven Pressley last night confirmed he is set to hold talks with Dundee United in their search for an eventual successor to Peter Houston.

FALKIRK's youngsters might be on the right road but it was Morton's streetwise senior citizens who got the job done.

AS the rain lashed down and the wind howled through New Douglas Park, both Billy Reid and Steven Pressley could perhaps have been permitted a moment to bemoan their ill-fortune.