It’s here. The biggest Scottish derby for decades gets under way tonight – and the riders can’t wait to get going.
Glasgow’s James Sarjeant and Sam Masters of Edinburgh came face-to-face at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium yesterday to eye up the League Cup before taking on each other for real at the Monarchs’ Armadale home tonight in the first leg.
The teams meet again in Glasgow on Sunday for part two – when one will claim a major slice of speedway history.
The fighting talk has already begun, but the winners will ultimately be decided by who goes best over the two legs.
Sarjeant, who’s been Glasgow’s biggest improver so far this season, is riding in the all-important No 2 slot tonight before switching to 4 on Sunday.
He said: “We want to go out and win it of course. We’ve beaten Edinburgh at home before so they’ll be wary of us. We’ve got a full team so we’re definitely confident.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but Glasgow for the win.”
Masters was this week named as the wild card for the Australian Grand Prix next month and he’s keen to go back home with some silverware under his arm.
But he believes the Tigers will pose a big challenge to his team’s attempts at winning this trophy two years on the trot.
He said: “It’s going to be hard, they’ve beat us at home, then we’ve come over here and beat them at home.
“It’s always a different kind of feeling when you race Glasgow.
“We need a big lead at home so we can come here with less pressure. But even if we lose we can come here bigged up and ready for a match. That’s the thing with speedway – anything can happen.
“We didn’t get here for no reason, so if we just keep doing what we’ve done to get here we should be able to come out and win.”
Monarchs’ reserve Rob Branford also had his say on this clash of two Premier League heavyweights.
He said: “It’s going to be a hard match but if anyone can do it, it’s the Edinburgh boys. If we’re on fire on the day we can beat anyone.
“It’s going to be a tough match but if everyone gives 100% we can leave here with our head held high whatever happens.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow No 5 Nick Morris is desperate to return to top form for the two meetings – and give the Tigers’ new owners something to remember 2015 by.
He’s had a good relationship with the Edinburgh track over the years and hopes tonight is no different.
He said: “I’ve got on all right with the track from day one, so I’m pretty lucky I guess. Most people can’t get round there.
“Hopefully tonight won’t be any different and we’ll have a good one. It would be great to get a trophy and good for Glasgow to get one in the cabinet under the new promotion. It’s always fun winning, so that’s what we want to do.”
He added: “My season has been really high and really low. The start of the year was awesome, then the last month or two it’s been average or below average.
“Nothing really matters now, as long as I can perform in these meetings at the end of the season. We’ve battled our way here, we’ve all had our ups and downs but we’ve made it here and it’s all to play for again.”
Tigers team boss Stewart Dickson said: “I think every fan is looking forward to it and I’m no different.
“Scottish speedway should be very proud of itself and hopefully these meetings can be showcase events.
“Let’s get it on!”
Edinburgh have been forced into a late change to their line-up after reserve Max Clegg was told to rest for a few days following a heavy crash for his National League side Cradley this week.
Berwick star Coty Garcia, of Argentina, will replace him in both legs.
Glasgow captain Aaron Summers warmed up well for the final last night when he won an individual meeting in Sweden.
Latest: Gates open at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium at 12:00pm this Sunday.