McBride ready for Meadow cup test

McBride 28, is set to make his first start for seven weeks in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie with Irvine Meadow after being prescribed special insoles for his condition.Hibs are expecting a physical game against the last remaining junior side in the competition and McBride said: "It'll be a test for the foot. But, to be fair, anybody can get injured in a game."It's going to be a very physical game and we've got to stand up to that."McBride made a surprise comeback from the bench in Sunday's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road."I've had no reaction," he said, admitting his spell on the sidelines had been "frustrating"."I've only trained three or four days in seven weeks so it's good to be back involved with the boys."The foot's holding up fine, I've got special insoles made, so it's a just a case of getting my fitness up."McBride has unfinished business with the Scottish Cup, with his last match for Falkirk being May's final defeat to Rangers.He then joined a club who have not won the competition since 1902 and, despite being handed the easiest possible draw on paper, he is taking nothing for granted on Saturday."We can't turn up here and just go on the pitch and think we're going to win the game," he said."They'll make it very difficult for us and we've got to treat them with respect."The gaffer's shown respect, he's been watching them, he's seen what they're like."He's let us know we're in for a difficult game. They're not going to stand back, let us play."To play football, you've got to win the battle first. I think the manager's drummed that into us from the start of the season."To be fair to the boys, I think they've taken it on board. We'll have to turn up and it'll be a fight to start with."With the big freeze decimating the fourth-round schedule, McBride is just relieved tomorrow's match is one of a handful likely to beat the weather."I know there have been a lot of games called off," he said."A lot of teams would be playing catch-up, so it'd be good to get the game over and done with and hopefully we can get the win."Manager John Hughes brought McBride and Partick Cregg with him from Falkirk in the summer and he is keen to add Bairns captain Darren Barr to his squad.McBride said: "I still keep in touch with him. He's a great lad and a very good player."He can play right-back or centre-back, he's fit and strong and very good in the air."So he'll bring other things to the team. If he decides to come here, it would be great for the club."Falkirk boss Eddie May has insisted Barr's next move will be to England but McBride believes the quality of players Hughes has already brought to Hibs could sway the defender."The gaffer's come in, he's turned things around," he said."When you look at the players we've attracted, like Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes, it's always good for the club."

Source: Team_Talk