Gray desperate for Thistle stay March 20 2008
Damon Gray has begged Partick Thistle and Hibernian to thrash out a deal that will allow him to have another crack at Rangers in the Scottish Cup.
The 19-year-old bagged the opener for Thistle in Wednesday night's quarter-final at Ibrox before Kris Boyd levelled to take the tie to a replay at Firhill.
Gray's loan deal with the Irn-Bru First Division outfit is set to expire on Saturday, meaning he will miss the opportunity to pit his wits against the SPL leaders once again unless Hibs agree to extend his stay in Maryhill.
"It's pretty much up to Partick and Hibs to sort something out," he said.
"At the minute, I don't know what's going to happen. I would be looking to stay for the replay.
"Obviously I'd like to play for the Hibs first team but if the chances are limited there, as they were at the start of the season, I'm more than happy to stay at Partick.
"I hope Partick want me to stay and it's a great incentive to stay for the replay."
Whether involved in the game or not, Gray sees no reason why Partick cannot pull off another shock result and progress to a meeting with fellow Division One club St Johnstone in the semi-finals.
He added: "If we can hold them to a draw at Ibrox, we are more than capable of putting in a performance and winning at Firhill."
Gray stunned Ibrox when he kept his cool to rifle home with 67 minutes gone, before Boyd bundled home from a goalmouth scramble just two minutes later.
The opener sparked chaotic scenes among the travelling support of 3,000 and Gray's decision to join in with their jubilant celebrations earned him a yellow card.
He laughed: "I just got caught up in the moment - it's not every day you get to score at Ibrox. It was definitely worth it.
"I was really looking forward to the match beforehand and I'm always confident in front of goal so I thought, if I got a chance, I'd fancy myself to score.
"The team worked really hard and thoroughly deserved the draw. If we had held on for five or 10 minutes, I think we had a chance to win and it was disappointing to lose a goal so quickly.
"But we will take the draw and we're really pleased with it."