Chairman Ferguson relishes first City-Celtic clash since 1985

Brechin chairman Ken Ferguson is daring to dream as Brechin City prepare to cross swords with Celtic – but insists the Glebe Park outfit are already winners after landing the plum tie.

The Glebe Park outfit, who are 16 points adrift at the foot of the Championship, will get a financial boost after being drawn against Brendan Rodgers’ champions, with the gate receipts split between the sides.

It will also ensure an unforgettable afternoon for the players and fans alike during a tortuous league campaign, with around 1,000 supporters expected to make the trip from Angus.

Brechin have not faced Celtic in a competitive fixture for 33 years.

Ferguson said: “When the draw was made, everybody was extremely happy to see that come out. We’ve waited a long time to get a big game from the Scottish Cup.

“A game like this will obviously put us in a far stronger financial footing.

“Clubs like us at our level have to constantly try and balance our ambition and keep the books in check so a game like this comes along and it obviously pays off some of the financial damage we’ve maybe done in previous years.

“Of course you dream. To get a replay would be absolutely fantastic. Any success at all on Saturday would be a massive achievement, obviously, for our guys to go out and play against the full-timers at Celtic.”

Brechin, who defied all odds to win promotion from League One through the play-offs last season, are yet to win a match in the second tier, albeit they have rarely been humbled and have claimed laudable draws against Falkirk, Morton, Livingston and Dundee United.

And Ferguson has urged his players, and manager Darren Dods, to enjoy their respite from an increasingly futile battle to avoid the drop.

He added: “The cup’s going to bring some relief from the challenges that we’re facing in the Championship.

“They’re all looking forward to it, they’re a great bunch of boys. We’re not having a great season but their heads have never gone down.

“They’re battling away every single week and I’m sure they’re all greatly looking forward to getting on the park on Saturday.”