WE DON’T FEARTRIP TO KELTY
Swifts’boss says his boys can cause Boxing Day cup shock
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion is plotting a Scottish Cup shock after being paired with Kelty Hearts in round one.
The much-anticipated draw on Sunday morning handed the Perth side a tough Boxing Day trip to the Lowland League champions.
But Gunnion, who has guided Swifts to this stage of the competition for the first time, will always back his crop of local talent.
“A home tie at Jeanfield would have been ideal,” Gunnion said. “But a positive is that it’s not too far away.
“It’s an extremely difficult tie. It is no secret the standard of player they are bringing in and the standard of manager they have.
“In all honesty, there is a very good argument to say they should have been an SPFL team this year.
“They have definitely developed since our Junior days of playing them. Year on year they continue to improve.
“There are guys coming in from League One and Two regularly, but they have also targeted Championship level players.
“Don’t get me wrong, Kelty will start as strong favourites.
“But a lot of our group have played at a higher level and many of them are at the peak of their career at this moment in time.
“If we perform the way we can, I would expect us to make it very difficult for Kelty. Definitely.”
This is a Swifts team packed full of players from Perth and the surrounding towns and villages. That brings a great sense of pride.
“We have boys who have been with the club since they were 18,” Gunnion explained. “Some have never stepped up to play senior football. Here are guys with the opportunity to play what will probably be the biggest game of their career.
“All of these players come from Perth or surrounding area. It’s the biggest game they’ll play for a club in their hometown.
“It should be special for them and hopefully we can produce a shock.
“We’ve always wanted to get the best local talent and see where it takes us.
“So far it has taken us to the first round of the Scottish Cup. Hopefully it can take us even further.”
The Boxing Day date with destiny was made possible thanks to Saturday’s 3-1 preliminary round win against Stirling University.
Gunnion said: “You could see the focus and determination from the players. We were three up within half an hour but it was a lot closer. Stirling
Uni are an excellent team who are sitting top six in the Lowland League.
“Our players defended phenomenally well and when we attacked we were clinical. It shows that we’re hard to beat first and foremost.
“Mark Mitchell is in great form and the work-rate is there through the midfield and strikers to make us difficult to beat.
“We’re quick on the counter attack and good in possession.
“I don’t care what team we play, I fancy us to score goals.”