The full-back admits he’s savouring every moment as he bounces back
from being sidelined with a broken ankle which was misdiagnosed by
medics as ligament damage last April.

Defender
Barry Russell says Albion Rovers’ magical Scottish Cup run has made
up for six months of injury misery.

The
League Two part-timers from Coatbridge face Rangers tonight in their
Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Hamilton’s New Douglas Park
following last Sunday’s dramatic 1-1 draw in front of almost 24,000
fans at Ibrox.

Russell
will be restored to the starting line-up after being rested for the
4-0 humbling at the hands of bottom-of-the-table Queen’s Park.

And
the full-back admits he’s savouring every moment as he bounces back
from being sidelined with a broken ankle which was misdiagnosed by
medics as ligament damage last April.

He
said: “I’ve struggled a wee bit to get my fitness back but this
cup run has made up for everything.

“One
of my first games back after injury was the 1-0 win over Motherwell
in the fourth round which was a great day for everybody.

“We’re
confident going into the replay. We’ve seen everything and seen
what they can do. We coped well and dealt with everything they threw
at us.

“We’re
not going to be playing in front of that many fans again. I don’t
see why we cannot go and get the win.”

This
will be a memorable year for Russell in more ways than one as he gets
ready to become a dad with partner Emma Wood due to give birth to the
couple’s first child in May.

But
he revealed Rovers’ cup exploits have meant an East Kilbride house
move has been put on hold.

He
added: “Emma’s due on May 2, just as the season comes to a close,
so I’ll be kept on my toes for the full pre-season!

“We’re
moving to a new place as well. We were supposed to be moving [last
Saturday] but it’s had to be put back for now because of all this.”