City carrying confidence into key clash with Keith

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

EDINBURGH CITY'S Ross Macnamara cannot wait for this weekend's Active Nation Scottish Cup tie against Highland League side Keith, with the victors going into the draw for the fourth round and a possible clash with SPL opponents.

Ahead of the third-round clash at Meadowbank, the City skipper said: "If we can win this game we are into the last 32 and, with 12 SPL sides included in the draw, that means we have about a one in three chance of being drawn against one of them.

"There is also guaranteed to be at least one non-league team in the next round because Threave Rovers meet Inverurie Loco Works. The odds of drawing the winner of that game are better than those on the roulette wheel. However, we cannot be thinking about the next step because we have to keep our feet on the ground and be focused on the size of the task ahead of us against Keith."

City conceded a stoppage time goal to lose 2-1 to Spartans at the weekend, although Macnamara thought that the host club were fortunate. "I felt that Spartans had the rub of the green in terms of decisions. They were awarded a penalty and then we had one denied when a Spartans player almost ripped the shirt off Kenny Ross. We then scored a goal which was disallowed for no valid reason and that would have changed the game completely.

"However, we can take the positives into Saturday's game because we controlled a lot of possession, we got the ball down and stroked it about. It was a good workout for this weekend because we were involved for the entire 90 minutes – and beyond.

"My record with City against Highland League sides is very good and we have yet to concede a goal against them at Meadowbank. We have beaten Clachnacuddin 1-0, Nairn County 2-0 and drawn 0-0 with Wick Academy before we beat them 4-1 in the replay last season. On Saturday past, Wick beat Keith 4-3 and, because we have this decent pedigree against Highland League teams, Keith will not be relishing coming to Meadowbank. Travelling down on the day of the game is never ideal so hopefully that will give us an advantage.

"Meadowbank should suit us because we are used to the ball disappearing for long spells. We know Keith's strengths and weaknesses and I personally have been closely involved with five of Keith's players when I was in the Scotland semi-professional squad for three years.

"What all of us at Edinburgh City have to ensure is that we all approach the game with the correct attitude and do our jobs properly.

"I will remind our players that we are playing to get through to the last 32 teams in this season's Scottish Cup. They should need no more motivation than that."