CLYDE last night appealed for supporters to aid their bid for a pounds-150,000 Scottish Cup meeting with Celtic and the financial security it would provide.

After dicing with financial peril in recent years, the money earned from television coverage and gate receipts would provide a welcome boost to their balance sheet and enable new contracts to be agreed with players.

"I can't overstate the significance of this match for the club, " said director John Ruddy.

"The money that could be earned would help us pay bills but also to maintain the status quo of the playing squad. Billy Reid started this season with only six signed players and it is down to his ability as a manager than the team has been able to reach second place in the first division. We cannot ask him to do that again and winning this match would help us keep players, even improve the squad.

"We need to use our home advantage against a good Ross County team and need people to support us. I would urge anyone with any feelings for Clyde to turn out at the game."

However, the visitors to Broadwood are refusing to look any further than tonight's replay. John Rankin, the Ross County midfielder said: "The players haven't really thought about Celtic at all. Our minds have only been on beating Clyde. I don't think you can dwell on a game that isn't even happening yet.

"If we can win the tie, then we will contemplate Celtic, although it's a fantastic incentive. It is a big, wide park and hopefully we can get the ball down and play."

The Ross County players had a rude awakening yesterday, however, as they were forced to train at dawn due to the recent adverse weather conditions.

Alex Smith, the County manager, admitted that rain and snow over the weekend had affected his preparations for what he views as one of his side's most important fixtures in years.

He said: "Due to the school holidays much of the time at our academy had already been booked. Because of that the best time for us to train was to start at 7.45 and we put in a good session. By mid morning the lads were on their way home and told to rest the remainder of the day to make sure we are in good shape.

"There is no doubt that this replay is important for the club and for everyone in the area. To get through and have Celtic up here would be magnificent."

Meanwhile, Motherwell entertain Hibernian in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague in a game which pits the top flight's two most promising managers against each other.

Terry Butcher and Tony Mowbray have excelled at clubs which have become renowned for the quality of young talent they have produced in recent years and boast some of the most promising footballers in Scotland.

Butcher, who signed a new contract extension at Fir Park last week, believes that's exactly where most of the credit should go.

He said: "We are both rookie managers in Scotland but we have good, young sides and players who give 100-per cent. I'm delighted about the contract situation, but it's what happens on the park that really matters."