Mackay is urging his troops to go on cup adventure

Binos to start campaign against East of Scotland champions

said: “The Scottish Cup is special. I was lucky enough to win it as a player with St Johnstone.

“That was a great day because I never played for a team who were going to win a league title in the top division.

“I’d love to have won the League Cup as well but only got as far as the semi-finals.

“Stirling Albion are not going to win the Scottish Cup but it’s important to have a good run. With the luck of the draw, you never know where it might take you in terms of progressing.

“It’s good for the players, the fans and also the club financially.

“We’re really looking forward to the game, having not played at the weekend, and we want to go to Cowdenbeath the following week on the back of a win.

“We will be the favourites and the pressure is on us but the players will not go out on the pitch worrying about that.

“As I’ve said before, if we play with an intensity and press the opposition then we have the quality in the team to create chances and score goals but we need to tighten up at the back.”

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale have done well to knock out Kelty Hearts (1-0) and Inverurie Locos (3-2) to reach this stage and Mackay knows they will be no pushovers.

Albion have scraped past Whitehill Welfare and Hurlford United in recent years, requiring replays on both occasions, and Lothian Thistle have been scoring goals for fun this season .

They thrashed Tweedmouth Rangers 11-1 in their last game at the end of September, having netted five times against Eyemouth and six against Heriot Watt Uni last month.

He said: “Unfortunately I’ve not had the chance to see them because their game last midweek was postponed and they didn’t have a match at the weekend.

“I’ve seen a few clips but that’s all so I don’t know much about their players but they will be determined to come here and cause an upset.

“In terms of the team for Saturday, I haven’t made up my mind yet. We trained hard last Tuesday and Thursday after the Elgin game and we’ll do the same this week. We’ll be well prepared.

“We’ll speak to Hearts about Callumn Morrison but I imagine they won’t want him to play for us in the Scottish Cup as he is only on loan until January.

“It would be good to have him available but if not then we have others who have been waiting for an opportunity.”

Admission prices for Saturday have been reduced to £10 for adults, £5 for seniors and students, £5 for U16s and free for U12s. Kick-off is 3pm.

If the game ends in a draw, the replay will take place at Saughton Enclosure on Saturday, October 21.