“The week has been fine.

“We’ve obviously had to go indoors, but the intensity is still the same and what the Gaffer and Doc want to do in training is exactly the same as if we were outside. Preparation has been good; the boys look fresh obviously having not had the game on Wednesday. It has given us the week to prepare for this game. We should be fresh going into it.

“The next game is always the biggest game no matter what it is. At this stage of the season, the position that we’re in, there’s so many big games coming thick and fast.

“The Scottish Cup is a cup game so you’re either in or out and we need to make sure we’re right up for it, the performance is good and we’re in the hat for the next round.

“Kilmarnock have had a great season. The manager has come in and done a fantastic job. They can be so proud of what they’ve done, but we’ve been good ourselves in the games we’ve played against Kilmarnock, so we need to make sure that’s the same again. Like I said it’s a cup game and anything can happen on the day. It’s all about the result and trying to get through to the next round.

“The Hibs and Celtic games have probably been the most frustrating weeks I’ve had this season. Not being able to influence the games or try and help my teammates has been tough, but I’m going to play exactly how I always do. If more cautions come, then I can’t help it. Not all of them have been unfair, but a few of them in my opinion have been harsh, but I can’t get away from the way I play.

“That intensity is the way I like to play the game and I think the manager likes the way I play.

“The Kilmarnock league game at Pittodrie was up there with one of the worst in my career. I had a sickness bug the whole day before and the whole morning, I don’t really know why I played the game, but it’s the worst I’ve every felt during a game!

“They’re on really good form as well so confidence will be so high. We have done well against them, but it means nothing when you come into a cup game and like I said the run they’ve been on and the confidence they’ll have, they’ll fancy themselves. We need to guard against that.

“It was frustrating watching it (last week) because there wasn’t much in the game. The second half we had good momentum and the goals have killed us. The frustrating part was we had chances.

“We have created chances in the games against Celtic and Rangers this season.

“We’ve got a chance to bounce back. We were hoping the game on Wednesday would have been on to bounce straight back, but that gives us the rest and full week to prepare for this one and get through to the next round.

“I’m free to play anywhere and hopefully get back into the team to start with. The manager’s got that option now with Andy being suspended he might want me playing there (at left back). He might not as he’s got plenty options to go with. He’ll judge it on how he wants to play the game.

“It’s always a big thing for us to get the national stadium and give ourselves a chance to get to a final. We did it last year and it was good. We all enjoyed it and as a footballer it’s those games you really enjoy. It gets away from the league and it’s a bit different. It’s always a big occasion down at Hampden. But Kilmarnock are coming up here in good form and high in confidence, so we know it’s going to be a tough game and we will have to put in a performance.”