THE BACK PAGE SCOTTISH CUP RUN IS A CHANCE TO SHINE
Stirling Albion return to action this weekend when they welcome Highland League Strathspey Thistle to Forthbank in the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
The Binos had no game on Saturday while their cup opponents suffered a 3-2 defeat to Deveronvale, which followed a 1-0 loss to third-placed Inverurie Locos last Wednesday. Stirling are bottom of Ladbrokes League 2, having drawn their last three matches, but are favourites to progress to the third round on November 23.
It’s Kevin Rutkiewicz’s first Scottish Cup clash as Albion boss – he took over just after last year’s 2-1 defeat to Queen’s Park and is also well aware that Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale stunned Stirling 5-3 at this stage two seasons ago.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it and for me it represents a great opportunity to go five games unbeaten going into another big game against Cowdenbeath the following week.
“I hope the players put on a show for the fans – hopefully we can score a few goals and send them home happy. The draw in this round has been kind to us but we need to be totally focused and we don’t want any complacency.
“It would be great for the club to get a Scottish Cup run and we want to get through and get another home tie. It would be great to approach the New Year with good momentum in the league and still looking forward to the Scottish Cup in January.
“I’ll go as strong as possible with my team selection. I don’t think we are in a place of luxury to be giving game time to players who haven’t had it. The one thing we’ve not had this season is continuity – partly down to injuries and also tinkering to try and find the right formula, particularly up front where we have a number of players needing a goal.”
Admission prices for the tie have been reduced to £12 for adults, £8 for seniors and students, £5 for U16s and free for U12s. If it ends in a draw the replay will take place at Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey, on Saturday,
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