Excited Linlithgow Rose ready for step into unknown against Falkirk

Boss Ferguson admits Bairns will be different animal under new managers
Linlithgow Rose take on Falkirk on Friday night. Pic: TSPLLinlithgow Rose take on Falkirk on Friday night. Pic: TSPL
Linlithgow Rose take on Falkirk on Friday night. Pic: TSPL

Linlithgow Rose boss Brown Ferguson knows Falkirk’s players, but admits they are going into the unknown against them tonight after David McCracken and Lee Miller were appointed as the Bairns’ interim management team this week.

Prestonfield plays host to a Scottish Cup cracker this evening (7.05pm) to kick off the third round as the two locals clubs from opposite ends of Scottish football clash under the lights and the focus of the BBC Scotland cameras.

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Rose are well aware of what lies ahead of them in the televised match, but manager Ferguson doesn’t know what to expect after the League One club sacked manager Ray McKinnon last weekend.

“Everybody at the club has been looking forward to it since the draw was made, but in fairness to the group, they have kept their minds very much on the job in hand. Training has went well and everyone is raring to go,” said Ferguson.

“Lower league teams playing in front of the cameras doesn’t happen particularly often, so that added to the fact it’s a quality team, a full-time outfit and on a Friday night with a lot of attention on the game, it’s a great spectacle and one that hopefully produces a very good game.

“It’s a chance for the players to raise their profile and a chance for us a club to demonstrate what we’re trying to achieve and what we want to do. It is important, not just for us, but for the East of Scotland [League] and the teams in and around that division, that we go and put in a good account of ourselves because there is good teams at that level.

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“In terms of motivation, the game will take care of itself. This is a unique opportunity to play against a very, very good team. What is important for us, is to have a gameplan with everybody buying into that gameplan and be thoroughly prepared for that.

“We’ve not really been able to focus much on Falkirk at all because we don’t know what they are going to throw at us other than personnel. We are completely focused on ourselves and we hope to carry out our gameplan as best as we can.”

Elsewhere, Cowdenbeath conquerors Broxburn Athletic make the long trip to Highland League club Inverurie Locos tomorrow (3pm) aiming to go one step further in their historic Scottish Cup journey under boss Brian McNaughton as they compete in the competition for the first time.