The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Welcome return to big time
Formartine United forward Conor Gethins will call on all his experience against Premiership club Partick Thistle in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup in Glasgow today.
Highland League side United’s players are ready for the biggest game in the club’s history and the trip to Firhill will be an exciting but daunting task.
Gethins will not be overawed by the occasion as United try to create a cup upset.
The 33-year-old Irishman said: “It’s a massive day for everyone associated with the club. I’ve had career highlights, such as the thrill of playing for Ross County in the Scottish Cup against Celtic at Parkhead, which was pretty special, and winning under-19 and under-21 international caps for Ireland.
“The older you get the less likely you are to be involved in a tie like this which is undoubtedly the biggest game in Formartine United’s history, so I'm really thankful to be a part of it.”
Gethins, who also played for Peterhead and Nairn County, is relishing the chance to visit some friends at Firhill. He said: “I'm looking forward to the game especially as a couple of my former team-mates are involved with Partick.
“It is more than a decade since I played at Partick and I'm really looking forward to catching up with Ian Maxwell, who was a centre half at Ross County during my time at Victoria Park.
“He is a great guy who is now managing director at Partick. I’m also hoping to see Junior Mendes, who played up front alongside me at Nairn County a couple of years ago, who is now the club’s sports scientist and nutritionist.”
Gethins knows the Pitmedden club has everything to gain against the favourites and added: “There is no pressure on us at all. Everyone expects us to get beat but I think they will be surprised by the quality we have in our team and the amount of experienced players we have who have played the game at a higher level. We have a really good blend of youth and experience.”