FIT-AGAIN TWADDLE KEEN TO BE A HEART-BREAKER

FALKIRK full-back Marc Twaddle cursed his own stupidity for missing the CIS Cup win over Celtic - now he wants his place back against crisis-torn Hearts tonight.

The 20-year-old had to look on at Parkhead last Tuesday as his team-mates put the cup holders out of the tournament.

Twaddle had injured his ankle in training the previous day after carelessly kicking a ball away and had to disguise his disappointment as his side booked a first League Cup semi-final place in 32 years.

After back-to-back SPL wins over Dundee United and Dunfermline, John Hughes' in-form Bairns are now bidding for a fourth straight victory tonight against the out-of-sorts Tynecastle outfit.

And Twaddle, who hopes to get his regular role back to shine in front of the Setanta camera said: "It was silly of me to miss the Celtic game.

"I went to boot a ball in training and as I kicked it I jarred my ankle. The gaffer was laughing, I think he thought I just had a wee strain.

"But after seeing the physio, I'd have only been cheating my team-mates if I'd decided to play at Celtic.

"I went to watch the boys and was proud, even though I was a bit disappointed myself. But I couldn't let them see my hurt in case it affected them.

"We fully deserved to win but hopefully I can now come back in.

Twaddle admits he is as bemused as anyone by events at Hearts this season. The Gorgie men are on a five-game winless streak but Twaddle is expecting a stern test.

He added: "We know they are a great team, obviously a wee bit unsettled just now, but they've got good players.

"I don't think anyone knows what's going on there, it's like they have thousands in their squad."

Taken from the Daily Record