Jorge Grant understands that Greenock Morton will attempt to make it a “horrible” night at Cappielow in the televised (BBC Television) Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup quarter-final on Monday, but he said: “We will have to deal with it.”
The Hearts midfielder is also aware that the facilities and pitch at Greenock will not be what Hearts are used to but he countered by saying that he has played at lower leagues before in England.
Banbury-born Grant added: “We have watched loads and loads of videos in the last few days and it is important we do our homework on them and be ready for what comes.
“We know what they can bring, but it is up to us to do what we can do and bring our own game.”
The 30-year-old, who has never won a cup competition is keen to land silverware, and said: “You get bad pitches. You need to be ready for that and we need to concentrate on the game.”
The midfielder, who has played for a number of clubs including Mansfield Town, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Notts County and Nottingham Forest, added: “I have been in the lower leagues in England and so it is not going to be new to me but it might be to some others. We expect it to be a horrible game.”
Hearts have played lower league teams Spartans and Airdrie in previous rounds and Grant said they can take comfort from that but he would not be drawn on who will take a penalty if one is awarded. Grant slotted against Celtic last weekend in the cinch Premiership but Lawrence Shankland is normally the regular penalty taker.
Grant said: “We have really good group here, all the lads really get on, and long may that continue. We aim to stay together and that’s what we intend to do. This is one game and the goal is to get through to the next round.”
PICTURE: Jorge Grant in action and in pain against St Johnstone.
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
