Blair Henderson’s relationship with this season’s Premier Sports Cup has been a profitable one – so far. 

The Spartans’ hitman has scored in three out of the five ties with Henderson’s header against Premiership side Ross County setting up Saturday’s Quarter Final clash at another top flight team in the shape of Aberdeen.

In what is arguably one of the biggest profile games in the Club’s history, the bookies may have the high-flying Dons odds-on to head to Hampden for the Semi-Finals however the talismanic striker is relishing the opportunity to take the game to the Reds.

“What’s crucial is that we make a good showing of ourselves again.  Perhaps realistically, I don’t think we could go into it saying we’re hoping to win, but we’re keen to play well and hopefully we can do some of the things the gaffer talks about and one of those is score a meaningful goal and you just never know.

“But I think first and foremost we’ve just got to go there and enjoy it.  Our fans and our families getting to go along can all enjoy the moment too.”

The travelling Spartan Army head to Pittodrie having seen their side already put in winning performances over Championship side Livingston along with a 0-5 win on the road against SPFL 1 outfit Cove Rangers in the group stages of the tournament.

Henderson added, “Saturday is very much a reward for everyone at the club.  The players, the staff, the board and everyone else connected with it too.  The fans have backed us throughout and across some big games over the last couple of seasons and this is another, with hopefully more in the future. It’s definitely one that everyone can go and enjoy and hopefully we can do ourselves proud.”

Last season’s Scottish Cup game saw Henderson and Co run Hearts close in a pulsating encounter at home, a performance that the side can draw inspiration from.

“I think you’ve got to take confidence from wherever you can for games like this, but its not at Ainslie Park which will be a big factor as well.  It makes it more difficult for us going there rather than having it at home but we’ll go into the game to go and enjoy it, to be as confident as we can be and just see what happens on the day.”

With 94 goals under his belt across his Spartans career, Henderson will be keen continue that tally as it heads towards an impressive treble figure.

“The last couple of games I’ve missed some chances which has been pretty frustrating on my part.  It’s not like me, I’ve been a bit wasteful but hopefully if I get a chance on Saturday then I can take it as we’re not going to get many.  That’s going to be my job on Saturday, so when that chance does come, we / me can take that opportunity and you just never know!

“Its going to be really difficult and its not going to be a game full of chances for us so we’ll need to be clinical when do we do get that chance.”

Off to the game in the Granite City on Saturday?

With no cash turnstiles on the day, Spartans supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance via Fanbase.

It’ll also allow us to help our hosts with travelling numbers & mibbes gauge the size of the important pie order for peckish tourists!

You can Purchase tickets here from our ticketing partners Fanbase.

The Spartans return to SPFL 2 action at home on Saturday where they take on Forfar Athletic in the latest round of fixtures.

Douglas Samuel’s side head into the game on the back of a good showing once again against Championship outfit Livingston last week in a game that saw the Gaffer ring the changes for the SPFL Trust Trophy tie.

Games against the Loons last season were all incredibly tight affairs in a quartet of clashes that saw Blair Henderson net in a trio of encounters that saw Spartans shade the tale of the tape with two wins, both at home.  Forfar picked up a win at Station Park with the other being drawn in a rather incredible inaugural league fixture laced with injuries and a hotly disputed goal for the visitors.

With both teams having had the opportunity to suss each other out in Premier Sports group stage earlier in the season – another that saw Henderson claim the winner – they lock horns once again.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown, Bradley Whyte shared his thoughts on the Trust Trophy tussle whilst turning his focus on Forfar.

“There’s been quite a mix of League and various Cup games recently which has required the gaffer to change the team shape or game plans depending on the opposition however we just need to focus our attentions on getting back into the rhythm of winning in the league and getting points on the board.

“If we can build on that first half performance against Livingston and take it into Saturday and build up the momentum required in the league.  We saw with Stenny last season that they got themselves into a winning habit and went on a roll and if we have aspirations to win the league this season, that’s what we have to do.”

Whyte, who picked up last weekend’s Man of the Match award, is aware of the dangers Saturday’s opposition will bring to North Edinburgh on Saturday.

“As we found out last year, Forfar are a really tough team to play against, Their Manager has always got them well drilled and there’s a lot of experience and quality in their side.  It was no different in the cup game in July either.

We just need to go out there and do what we need to do, execute our game plan and look at gaining all three points at full time.”

With three tough games coming up within the next seven days, the former Musselburgh Athletic favourite, where he joined The Spartans from in January 2022, was enthused by quality and depth of squad assembled by the Gaffer for this season’s campaign.

“I thought Brogan (Walls) was excellent for us against Livi.  He didn’t look like he’d been shy of game time and its credit to him for keeping himself match fit.  Mark Stowe too, who has probably not played as much football as he’d have probably liked over the last couple months, made a really positive impact and was unlucky not to score at the end of the first half.

“I think we had one of the best away records in SPFL 2 last season so if we can build on that and maximise our home advantage starting on Saturday, it’ll make it a tough place to come and will have a massive outcome on where we finish at the end of the season.”

Admission Prices:

Adult – £17
Concession (over 65 & 16/18 year olds) – £12
13/15 year olds – £5
12 & Under – free

Youngsters under the age of 16, unless they are Spartans Season Ticket holders, will only be allowed into Ainslie Park when accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased in advance via Fanbase, alternatively, pay at the gate option is also available.