When we visit Rugby Park on 9 February it will bring to an end a run of five consecutive Saturdays without a match. Our games in January see a mix of Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. So much for the cultivation of a match day routine!
It’s unfortunate that the semi finals are scheduled for the week following the winter break given that disruption to the SPL fixture list is guaranteed. The result is a stuttering start to the New Year. We were due to meet Hearts this weekend but they are on League Cup duty. That game has been rescheduled for 2 March when the Scottish Cup quarter finals have the floor.
Devotees of the Saturday game will have another lost day following next week’s United game on Tuesday. We’ll be spectators as the fifth round of the Cup takes centre stage on 2 February. Early cup defeats take their toll and the club coffers will feel the chill.
There will be no claret and amber at Hampden this season but we will be able to see our famous colours at Wembley. Motherwell fans will delight in the success of Bradford City. Their triumphant march to the English League Cup final has given lots of exposure to the famous colours.
The Bantams paid us a visit in July 2008 at the time their manager was - Stuart McCall. His deep relationship with City is well known and he'll be cock a hoop at their achievement. There are occasional visits between fans of the teams - the thoughts of some Bradford fans who made the trip north are here.
Meanwhile, the end of the transfer window is a week away. No doubt there will be some speculation concerning our brighter prospects and we'll have to hope that the squad remains strong enough to allow us to maintain a top three place. Murphy has gone, Higginbotham has arrived and many fans will be content if that closes our business.