Brian Graham is free to lead his side out of the tunnel and into tomorrow afternoon’s Sky Sports Cup final against Rangers at Tynecastle after sweating on a touchline ban.

Graham was sent off during last weekend’s SWPL defeat to Hibs after two yellow cards which confined him to the stands. Despite it being two different competitions, he could have been forced to forfeit his seat in the dugout.

However, the club appealed the bookings on Thursday which means that until the hearing takes place he is in a position to take up his trackside seat.

Thistle are keen to cause an upset tomorrow with striker Cara Henderson revealing that a motivational pep talk from 1971 League Cup legends Alan Rough and Alex Rae has set the Jags on their way.

“I have watched highlights of that final,” said striker Henderson. “I felt really lucky to be sitting with Alan and Alex a few weeks back [at a hospitality event at Firhill] and they had some really brilliant anecdotes about that day and the game itself. 

“No-one fancied them to beat Celtic – or to beat Celtic by the scoreline that they did.

“They are still revered as legends for what they achieved that day and it is a real chance now for us to go and do something similar.

“But what was amazing for me was how supportive they are of us in the women’s team. They were genuinely enthused by the fact we are in this position and have made it to a final and it was fascinating to be able to get their advice.

“They have told us to enjoy it and that the game will probably pass by in a flash. We just want to go and make sure that we do ourselves justice and play to the levels we know that we can.”

Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Chelsea Cornet has insisted that the Ibrox side have every intention of claiming a clean sweep this season.

This tournament was the club’s only trophy last term after they beat Hibs in the final. This season Cornet is aiming to use it as the catalyst for further success.

“We want to retain the Cup and it’s a chance for every player to shine. 

“It is massive. At a club like Rangers the aim is to win as much silverware as possible. To get our hands on the first piece of silverware that is available would be unbelievable. 

“That would then put a real stamp on the rest of the teams in the league so they can look at know that we are not here to mess about. 

“We don’t look too far ahead of ourselves but we know that [a domestic treble] is within our grasp.”

Tickets for tomorrow’s Sky Sports Cup final which kicks off at 1.30pm at Tynecastle are available right up until kick-off. Tickets are just £8 for adults and £1 for kids and concessions. A family ticket for two adults and two kids is just £15.