WHOLE WORLD WANTS US TO WIN IT SAYS ROWAN ALEXANDER

HEARTS players who reckon they are up against Gretna in the Scottish Cup Final have been warned they are really taking on the rest of the world.

Boss Rowan Alexander revealed the club have been inundated with good-luck messages from every corner of the globe.

Whisper it around Vladimir Romanov but there have even been cards of support from Lithuania ahead of today's glamour game at the National Stadium.

Alexander believes his club will write the greatest Scottish Cup fairytale of all time if they see off Hearts, surpassing earlier achievements of clubs such as Berwick Rangers and Inverness Caley Thistle.

The Second Division champions will be backed by 12,000 fans at Hampden this afternoon but in true underdog style millions more will be watching on television and urging them on against the SPL big boys.

Alexander said: "The level of support we've received in the run-up to the Final has been amazing.

"Cards, letters and emails have been arriving from MPs in the House of Commons, local schools and hospitals and supporters trusts from other clubs Brooks Mileson has helped in the past. We've had messages of support from Australia, Canada, the United States and Africa, not to mention Lithuania. Yes, even Lithuania - it's frightening.

"We've been going along thinking we've been doing well enough in the last couple of years but for our work to be highlighted in this way is terrific.

"The publicity has also identified to the whole of Britain that Gretna are a breath of fresh air to the game.

"If we beat Hearts it will be the greatest Scottish Cup story of all time because we've only been members of the SFL for four seasons. To achieve what we have in that time is fantastic and the development of the club is happening at such a rapid pace I don't even have time to pinch myself.

"We're under no illusion that to come away with a win we must give our best ever performance as a team. They have potential threats in every department but if we can match them we have players of our own who can take any chances that come our way."

Alexander has earmarked 25-minute spells in each half to his players when he reckons Hearts are at their most dangerous. At their best, the Jambos start games like demons and also have the ability to lift the pace midway though the second half and steamroller opposition.

Alexander knows there is one man in the Jambos side central to everything they do well - Paul Hartley.

He added: "We feel Paul is the player who triggers things for Hearts, dictates the tempo and has the potential to cause more problems than anyone else. He is full of passion, energy and desire, sets trends for others to follow and is a typically Scottish player.

"We accept if Hearts play to their potential they are a difficult side to overcome but if we play to ours it's going to be a very interesting game. We're professional people who have not just come into football from nowhere.

"We have a game plan and if Hearts play as they can we like to think it'll work, but it will be a tall order because they are a solid, hard-working side with a lot of international players.

"We're also aware it'll be a physical battle and that if we don't match them in that department there is a risk we could be run over."

Mind you, for all Alexander's respect for the opposition he hasn't exactly moulded a team of shrinking violets at Raydale Park.

It used to irk him when Gretna's financial strength was continually raised as the overwhelming reason behind their success but now he lets the critics say what they want.

For sure, Gretna have been able to pay salaries even SPL clubs would struggle to match, but there is more to team building than throwing a grand a week and a three-year deal at a player.

But Alexander acknowledges the cruel irony that as the club grows ever more successful there are players, including some members of his cup final squad, who are likely to be left behind next season.

He added: "Regardless of the resources, it isn't easy because you have to bring in quality players and blend them into the system.

"We've pulled a number of senior pros from sides where they could see the end of their careers approaching. We've given them the opportunity to taste success in the remainder of their careers and to see so much passion, desire and ability is very satisfying.

"We already know what is required for life in the First Division - fresher legs, for example, and a couple of younger players. We'll be looking to bring in players from Europe as well as Britain but this is a strong and resilient squad focused on winning.

"Some of them may be gracing the international stadium for the last time and hopefully they'll give themselves something to remember."