Cup dream come true
Cup giant-killers now head for Highlands
Broxburn Athletic boss Brian McNaughton has hailed the club’s ‘special day’ after they caused a major Scottish Cup shock.
Athletic defeated League Two side Cowdenbeath 3-0 on Saturday to book an away trip to Inverurie Loco Works in the third round.
And if they win that tie they will be in the draw with the major forces of Scottish football with the likes of Celtic, Rangers, Hibs and Hearts entering in the fourth round.
The delighted gaffer (right) said: “It was a special day for the club. It’s fantastic. The fans came out and hopefully those who maybe came for the first time will see what we’re all about and come more often.
“They were tremendous and it gives the players a massive lift.
“We actually played better last week but defensively we were really, really good. To a man, everyone did their job.
“We showed the energy and work-rate that we have as a team, and we needed it all over the park. We’re always likely to score because we have guys with great pace and who create chances.”
The jubilant boss went on: “Some of my guys hadn’t played in front of a crowd of 1000 before, or in a Scottish Cup tie this far into the competition, so it’s a learning process for a lot of them and they took to it.
“The first goal came at a crucial time because I had turned to the bench and said I’d be delighted to be 0-0 at half-time – and then we get a penalty.
“When Scholesy (Craig Scott) scored his second, that helped settle the nerves a bit. And then the third goal kills the tie off.”
There’s three weeks until the next round, but the boss says he expects training to be ramped up a level in the run up to the clash. And he’s determined his side should progress and get a juicy tie in the fourth round.
Brian said: “Both teams will be viewing it as a winnable game. I hope that when the time comes we can go up there and put on a performance.
“It would just be great if we could get into the next round and get a big tie. It helps with the confidence of the players – training is going to be incredible between now and the Inverurie game.”