Brian Rice relishing the chance for Hamilton to challenge for Scottish Cup
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice welcomed the chance for his team to win the Scottish Cup after the suspended competition was given a new schedule.
The tournament had been in limbo following the suspension of all levels of Scottish football below the top two men's divisions on January 12, following a rise in Covid-19 cases.
But the Scottish Government gave the green light this week for Leagues One and Two to restart and for the non-league teams still left in the Scottish Cup to play their games.
The Scottish Football Association announced on Wednesday that the second round would be played on March 23 with Premiership teams due to enter on April 3.
Hamilton face St Mirren at home in the third round and Rice is looking to emulate Betfred Cup winners St Johnstone, who his team drew 1-1 with in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.
I'm delighted with it,'' Rice said of the news.It gives us a chance to win a cup. St Johnstone won a cup, how can we not win a cup? That's how you have got to look at it.
It's the Scottish Cup. You don't get many chances to play in the Scottish Cup or get to Scottish Cup finals.''
Rice, who had a Hampden trip as Falkirk assistant manager, added: I've been to a Scottish Cup final with a team. I know the feeling, I know what it does for the community. It would be fantastic.
So fair play to them for getting the Scottish Cup played. I am delighted with that.''
The fourth round and quarter-finals will be held over the last two weekends of April with the semi-finals on May 8-9 and the final on May 22, two weeks later than originally scheduled.
The new schedule means the Premiership will resume after the split on April 10, with midweek games on April 20-21 and May 11-12 and the final weekend on May 15-16.