Linlithgow won't take minnows Gartcairn lightly in Junior Cup

Linlithgow Rose boss Todd Lumsden admits a home Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final against Gartcairn is the best draw they could have hoped for, but he's vowed not to take the Airdrie-based club lightly.

Todd Lumsden is one match away from guiding Linlithgow Rose to the Scottish Junior Cup semi-finals. Pic: TSPL

The Prestonfield men booked their place in the last-eight last weekend with a 4-2 success over Maryhill, which finally went ahead at the fourth time of asking.

They are now just a game away from a semi final tie, but Lumsden will be reinforcing to his players that their place is not guaranteed.

“Any home tie gives you an advantage and if you do get drawn against a lower league team there is an advantage there as well,” he said. “However, there is a big 
banana skin that they can play with freedom because there maybe isn’t an expectation on them. We had a team meeting on Monday looking at them and what they’ve done and come through. They are at a stage where they deserve credit for. Their objective will be to get through to the next round and we need to match that. We won’t be taking them lightly and we’ve prepared professionally for Saturday.”

After a disappointing league campaign, Rose’s run in the competition every Junior Cup wants to win is brightening up their season.

Rose have been notable for their second-half collapses this season and although that looked like it might happen again last week – Linlithgow conceding two early second-half goals after being 2-0 up at half-time – Lumsden was pleased with the fightback.

“The character they showed after losing the two goals was absolutely superb. We’ve come a long way from games in the league and we have collapsed,” he added.