Partick Thistle have been boosted by the news that on-loan Hibernian striker Damon Gray has been permitted to face Rangers in tomorrow's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Mixu Paatelainen, the Easter Road manager, had insisted on a clause prohibiting Gray from playing in the competition for Thistle because there was a possibility of Hibs facing the Maryhill side in the last eight. However, Rangers' 1-0 replay win over Hibernian removed that issue and Paatelainen has now given the 19-year-old permission to play.
The news is a huge lift for Ian McCall, the Partick manager, considering Gray has netted three goals in four games since his temporary switch to the First Division side last month. "Damon has done well and will be an important player for us," said McCall. "He can be having a quiet game and then stick one in the net."
McCall believes Rangers may rest up to six key players after their energy-draining penalty-shootout triumph over Dundee United in the CIS Cup final. Part-time pundit McCall ran the rule over his opponents during Sunday's match from the television studio.
"I'm almost sure Rangers will change around their team," added McCall, who is further buoyed by the fact Partick have sold over 3,000 tickets for the Ibrox encounter, "Maybe bringing in five or six fresh faces. They might even rest a few big-hitters, even Barry Ferguson.
"Rangers have a real spirit about them. They didn't play well against United, they were fortunate but found a way to win. But we'll have a go."
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