Coyne hopes cup pedigree pays off

IN-FORM striker Tommy Coyne is aiming to prove he is a chip off the old block as Linlithgow Rose bid for a major Scottish Cup shock.

Coyne, son of the former Celtic and Motherwell forward of the same name, has already netted three times as Rose dumped Fraserburgh and Dalbeattie Star to earn today’s home tie against Raith Rovers.

The frontman will have the moral support of a former Scottish Cup finalist, with Coyne snr set to take his usual place at Prestonfield as part of a predicted 2,500-strong crowd. Coyne jnr said: “My dad comes to all my games. Hopefully, I can give him something to shout about. He obviously has great experience from his career and will be there as usual, my grandad will also be there and a good few of my friends. It should be a great occasion.

“I’ve not asked for any specific advice from my dad – remember, he lost his final! But, seriously, I think playing in a Scottish Cup final for Celtic and losing on penalties against Aberdeen is a very different situation from our game. There was a lot of pressure on him, whereas I can just enjoy this day. This is just a bonus for a club like Linlithgow. Raith Rovers are the Challenge Cup holders and a team that has won the League Cup so there is no pressure.

“Despite that, we are not just making up the numbers and we will try to get a result and we believe we can.”

Rose manager Danny Smith believes a win over Rovers would represent the best result in the club’s 125-year history.

Smith racked up three Scottish Junior Cups and two Superleague titles as a player. However, he knows those achievements will pale into insignificance compared to claiming a Championship scalp today.

He said: “A few members of the committee have mentioned that, if we get a result, then it would be the best result in the club’s history. But we know we are a million miles away at the moment – it would take an almighty effort.”