ALBION ARE UP FOR THE CUP Rutkiewicz excited ahead of Raith’s visit on second round duty
Stirling Albion hit the Scottish Cup trail again this weekend when they welcome Raith Rovers to Forthbank in a secondround tie.
The Binos cruised past Berwick Rangers in the previous round, winning 3-0 at Shielfield on Boxing Day, but face a very different challenge against John Mcglynn’s men.
Rovers won the League One title in 2019/20 and are sitting in fourth place in the Championship, although they didn’t play at the weekend as their match with Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Stirling saw some action before their League Two game at Stenhousemuir was abandoned after half an hour due to the icy conditions on the artificial surface, with the visitors 1-0 up thanks to a goal from midfielder Dom Docherty.
The cold weather seems set to hang around for the next few days at least and if the Raith match is postponed this Saturday it will be rearranged for Tuesday, January 12.
There are no replays in this season’s Scottish Cup so the game will be played to a finish, with extra time and penalties if required. At stake is a place in the third round on January 30 when the Premiership clubs enter the tournament.
Stirling haven’t faced Raith
Rovers in a competitive game since the 2014/15 season when the Kirkcaldy club won 2-0 at Forthbank in the Scottish Cup. The score was reversed 20 years ago this month when Ray Stewart’s men pulled off a shock thanks to goals from Ally Graham and Chris Templeman before going on to lose narrowly to Hibs at a fog-bound Forthbank.
Manager Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “I’d have much rather not pulled a full-time team out the hat and maybe have more of an opportunity to get into the next round but, that said, we are going to try and find a way to break down a team who have been going very well in the Championship.
“They had a wee bit of a wobble (losing to Queen of the South) but this is their first season back in that league and they are sitting comfortably in the top half. I faced John Mcglynn’s teams before when I was a player and they are always super organised and super fit.
“I don’t expect anything different and the boys will be pushed and stretched and asked all the questions but we have our own plans and hopefully we can execute them and give Raith some problems – we are certainly not without hope.
“We look like we can hurt a lot of teams going forward at the moment and we have always been quite stingy at the back so that’s a good mix to have.
“Jack Leitch will be available so that is a positive but David Wilson and Lewis Magee are out injured. Lewis will be long term I imagine and David is feeling a bit better but is still a few weeks away.
“It’s a big game and it’s one we want to do well in. It would be fantastic for the club if we could get through. We have had some good results recently and this would be another huge shot in the arm.”