27-07-2025
‘My phone exploded' – Alloa boss reacts to dream Rangers Premier Sports Cup draw as he eyes stunning Ibrox upset
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ALLOA boss Andy Graham's convinced the Wasps can sting Rangers again in the Premier Sports Cup.
His League One side stormed into the last 16 draw with four wins from four to top Group C, including the scalps of Premiership Dundee and Championship Airdrie.
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Alloa boss Andy Graham
Credit: Michael Schofield
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He's already pulled off an upset against Premiership side Dundee this season
Credit: Michael Schofield
And they've been rewarded with a glittering tie and big pay-day for the club against Russell Martin's team at Ibrox.
Holders Celtic have got a home tie against newly promoted Falkirk.
Incredibly, part-time Alloa are unbeaten in their last two meetings against the Gers, including a draw at Ibrox in the Championship in April, 2016.
Indeed, over nine previous matches the little club from Clackmannanshire have only lost three times, with a sensational 3-2 victory in the League Challenge Cup in 2014.
Graham - over 250 games as an Alloa player and boss since 2023 - told SunSport: 'I didn't see the draw because I was out with my family.
'But my phone exploded, so I knew immediately who we'd got!
'It's a fantastic game - the players will be really excited while I'm sure the club will also be happy.
'It's the kind of game you want, a big team and a great stadium.
'It's a really good draw and one the players deserve for the way they qualified from the group.
'I think we're the only team from out-with the top two divisions to get through, so we have to be proud of that.
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'It's a game for us to enjoy - but we must also go to Ibrox and BELIEVE.
'I remember going to Parkhead, when Jack Ross was manager, nine years ago and Celtic were flying. We'd also had a good start to the season.
'We pushed them all the way.
'We lost a goal in the 83rd minute to James Forrest and then Moussa Dembele later made it 2-0.
'But we gave it a really good go that night.
'Of course Rangers will be heavy favourites - but you have to go there and believe you can cause an upset.
'The players have been fantastic in the Cup group stage and their confidence levels are high.
Premier Sports Cup draw
Celtic v Falkirk
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Rangers v Alloa
Livingston v Hibs
St Johnstone v Motherwell
Morton v Aberdeen
Partick Thistle v Ayr United
St Mirren v Hearts.
'We've got very important games before that in the league, starting with the opener at Stenhousemuir on Saturday.
'But the Rangers tie is a big one to look forward to. It's what you play football for, the players will want to test themselves against the quality they've got.'
On Alloa's remarkable recent stats against Rangers, Graham said: 'It's incredible. There aren't many clubs in Scotland who'd have that record.
'We'll go to Ibrox and I'll want the players to showcase their talent, show just how good they are.'
Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen go to Morton while St Mirren host Hearts, Dundee United visit Kilmarnock and Hibs travel to Livingston.
Ties will be played weekend August 16-17.
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