Baikie has recipe for success in the Beith pressure cooker

But he faces a tough start on the "Road to Hampden" in the first round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow when Rose travel to face Beith, the West Region Super League champions.

It's a clash of the Titans in the Junior ranks and Beith sent shockwaves all the way through to Prestonfield when they hammered Pollok 6-0 recently.

"It's probably the tie of the round and isn't the match that either of the two teams would have wanted," said Baikie. "Away to Beith, the West champions, is the toughest draw we could have got and it is a big test for us.

"We've had them watched a few times and we know what to expect. They certainly showed how good they are in beating Pollok 6-0.

"Derek Carr, one of my coaches, was at that game while we also had someone there to see them play Kilwinning Rangers.

"They have strengthened their team since winning the title last season and it's going to be difficult but, at the same time, there's no reason why we can't go there and win."

For once, Linlithgow, last season's Scottish Junior Cup winners and successful in the League Cup already this season, will be setting out in a competition not expecting to win it.

"This is a competition we know we're not going to win, so our mentality has to change," added Baikie.

"Our aim is to try and go as far as we can. It is more about personal pride and it would be great if we could land a tie against a Premier Division club in one of the later rounds. When I was the manager at Arbroath, we took Motherwell to a replay in the Scottish Cup while we faced Rangers in the League Cup when I was at East Fife.

"These sort of games are what it is all about and it would be fantastic to experience such an occasion with Linlithgow."

After beating Camelon in the League Cup Final, Linlithgow suffered their first defeat of the season last Saturday, when they went down 1-0 to Super League newcomers Forfar West End.

"While I was disappointed with the way we played over the piece, there were mitigating circumstances," noted the Linlithgow manager. "The League Cup game on the Wednesday night had left the players a bit jaded yet we still had the bulk of the possession in the match.

"We had a glorious chance to go in front, missing an open goal, and if that had gone it would have made Forfar open up a bit as they sat in and defended deep.

"The positive thing for me is that it was our first defeat in about 20 games so we can't be too disappointed.

"It was a kick up the backside, I suppose, and now the important thing is how the players react in this game against Beith.

"The Scottish Cup is something we've tried not to talk about. But our focus is certainly on that now and we are looking forward to it."

Dario Quinn, Scott Wilson, Mark Bradley, Keith Hogg and Iain Nimmo are all still on the sidelines but midfielder Adam Nelson, one of Baikie's summer signings from Musselburgh, could be set for a comeback.

He limped off against Oakley with a hamstring injury a fortnight ago but trained earlier this week. "It is a case of seeing if he suffers any reaction," said the manager.

Chris King, another former Musselburgh player, is still carrying a knock, while Gordon Herd and Mark Tyrrell are both playing through the pain barrier at the moment.

"Gordon and Mark need small operations but they are playing on at the moment," said Baikie, who will be hoping Stuart McArthur can keep up his recent good form.

After starting most games on the bench last season, ‘Tank' has improved his fitness in the close season and was the driving force in the League Cup Final win over Camelon at Creamery Park.

"I think that was Stuart's best game for us in the centre of midfield," admitted his manager.