MUSSELBURGH Athletic manager Liam Burns has urged his players to dream of securing another big tie in the Scottish Cup.
The Honest Toun team carry the hopes of East Lothian tomorrow (Saturday) when they host Caledonian Braves in the prestigious knockout competition.
Burns’ side come into the contest in impressive form, topping the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier League.
But they know they will face a tough test as their rivals top the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) – a tier above them in Scotland’s footballing pyramid.
The reward for the winners could be the chance to lock horns with a Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) side.
Last year, BBC television cameras were at Olivebank to see Burns’ side take three-time winners of the competition Clyde to extra time before ultimately losing out.
Burns highlighted the incentive of potentially playing a side from as high up the pyramid as the Championship.
He said: “I am a pretty positive guy but I know we are not going to win the Scottish Cup.
“I think if we did, I would get the Real Madrid job the week after!
“What we do want is to try to get as big a tie as possible.
“That is what we want, whether it is for Hibs supporters, Hearts supporters, Celtic or Rangers – that’s the end goal.
“We saw it last year when we ran Clyde so close and came up a wee bit short.
“Then Clyde played Jeanfield Swifts from our league and then got a trip to Pittodrie to play Aberdeen.
“We are well aware we were close last time and we want to go that step closer this time.”
Musselburgh reached the second round by defeating both Penicuik Athletic and Darvel, while Caledonian Braves ended the cup hopes of University of Stirling in the last round.
The Burgh manager was anticipating a tough afternoon if his side were to reach the third round.
He said: “It will be a close game – I have absolutely no doubt about that.
“We know them, have seen them play and know they are a good side, and I think they will be the same and have had us watched. It is set up for a really big cup tie.
“Hopefully, it is a good game.
“The last couple of games, apart from the Clyde game, but Darvel this year and Gretna 2008 last year, were a bit cagey. Hopefully, this is more open and two good footballing sides going at it.”
Musselburgh come into the game boosted by sitting top of the EoSFL Premier Division.
A thrilling midweek win over Whitburn saw them move above Jeanfield Swifts at the top of the standings.
Ten-man Whitburn had taken the lead in the first half before Musselburgh equalised, missed a penalty and then had a man sent off of their own.
Musselburgh took the lead after the break, only for Whitburn to pull level in the first minute of stoppage time.
But there was still time for one last attack and Bob Wilson’s 94th-minute header ensured that the points stayed in East Lothian.
Burns said: “We showed a different side to us.
“We are really big and strong and, when the corner comes in, we have got big guys like Bob Wilson, Jamie Todd, Jackson Barker in there.
“We are aggressive in the air and that was the best moment for me so far.”
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