Peterhead captain Steven Noble inspired by Ross County's cup exploits

Captain Steven Noble believes Peterhead should take inspiration from Ross County ahead of the Petrofac Training Cup final against Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday.

County, another former Highland League club, won the first trophy in their history when they beat Hibernian 2-1 in the Scottish League Cup final at the national stadium in March.

This weekend's clash will be Peterhead's first senior final in their 125-year history and although Mark Warburton's men, who clinched the Championship title on Tuesday, are firm favourites Noble looks to the Dingwall outfit for hope.

Speaking at Hampden Park, the 27-year-old defender said: I know Peterhead's whole plan is to follow Ross County's model, and they started off in the Highland League.

A small stadium, a small club, a small population, Peterhead are very similar to that.

So it has got to give you belief that teams like Peterhead can go on and become successful so yes, you have to believe you have a chance.

But it would be a massive upset.

You have seen in years gone past, teams go into games against the Old Firm and are beat before they have kicked a ball, especially at Celtic Park and Ibrox.

We have got to believe and that is what we did the time we did win at Ibrox (in 2013), albeit it, it was a meaningless game for Rangers because they had already clinched the title.''

Noble is holding out little hope that the Light Blues, who face Celtic in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at the national stadium the following week, will still be in party-mode on Sunday.

I doubt that very much,'' he said.

I heard their manager's interviews and it is a big couple of weeks for them, they have won the league already, if they can win the Petrofac Training Cup, and probably the biggest game against Celtic.

They can look at party-mode after that.

But it is a great occasion for our club, all our players and for the town in general so we are really looking forward to it.

The pressure is on them to win so we can just go and enjoy our day, being the massive underdogs.''

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