Cup hopefuls Linlithgow Rose aiming to prove a thorn in Thistle's side

While Baikie was delighted to see his side crush Whitletts Victoria 5-0 in a fifth-round replay last weekend, he believes Graeme Love's Bathgate side will be a much tougher proposition.

"Bathgate have bags of experience and are also a side with good experience in the Scottish Cup, having lifted the trophy two years ago," said the Linlithgow manager. "They've also beaten us away from home this season, so I would definitely say they'll start as favourites on Saturday."

A big crowd should be on the cards and Baikie admits this match is probably his biggest so far in the Linlithgow hot-seat following his appointment just under a year ago.

"We've been in two cup finals since I came here, winning one and losing one, while we're into another one already this season," he said. "However, I suppose this will be my biggest game so far due to the fact it's in a later round of the Scottish Cup."

Bathgate are enjoying a great run under former Hibs star Love, having hit 20 goals while winning their last six matches.

"We have to stop certain players," acknowledged Baikie.

"The likes of Jim Lister, Alex Lurinsky, Graeme McLaren and Brian McPhee, who scored the winner against us in the league earlier in the season, are all capable of scoring goals.

"That will be the key area, in my opinion, while, at the same time, we also have to try and expose any weaknesses they have." Bathgate, who knocked out Bo'ness in the last round thanks to a late winner from McLaren, will be without midfield dynamo Paul Riley after he went in for an operation this week.

Love has signed former Aberdeen kid Stephen Payne, who recently returned from a spell in Australia, to bolster his midfield options and he'll be involved in some capacity, though is likely to start on the bench.

"If you were fortunate enough to get to the final, you'd want to face another local side as that would add to the spectacle so it's a pity from that respect that we find ourselves up against Linlithgow at this stage," observed Love.

"On the other hand, I'd probably prefer to be playing a side we know as one of the toughest games we've this season was against Culter in an earlier round in the Scottish Cup. We didn't know what they were going to bring to the table so it was a step into the unknown.

"Facing Linlithgow is a different kettle of fish and it's a massive game for both teams. I don't think any of the players involved should have problems getting motivated for this one.

"I don't think the fact we beat Linlithgow in the league this season will have any bearing on this game but my players certainly shouldn't be going into it with any fear as they are capable of winning. To do that, though, we need to be at our best.

"I suppose you could say it's a test that is much the same as the Bo'ness game in the last round. We know what the strengths and weaknesses are and, all things considered, it certainly has the makings of a good game."

While delighted with the attacking options at his disposal, Love knows that players like Gordon Herd, Tommy Coyne, Paddy Flannery and Roddy McLennan pose a real threat to leading Bathgate to the final in his first season in charge.

"They've got some dangerous players so we'll need to do our best to limit them to as few chances as possible," he added. "But, if they do get a sight at goal, I'll be able to take comfort from the fact that in, Andy Carlin, I believe we've got the best goalkeeper in the Junior game. He was superb for us last season and has been superb this season, too." While Herd didn't start the replay against Whitletts, it seems his ankle problem has now cleared up totally and he could be just as valuable for Linlithgow as Lister could be for Bathgate at the other end of the park.

"I was delighted with the overall performance last weekend and, after they'd had a man sent off, we moved the ball quickly and to good effect," said Baikie.

"Now we need to put in another good display to have any chance of making it into the semis."

Thistle v Rose – the key clashes

Jim Lister v John Ward

LISTER has been in superb form for Bathgate and his tireless workrate will ensure the giant Ward doesn't get a minute's peace at the heart of the Linlithgow defence.

Willie Wilson v Roddy McLennan

McLENNAN can be unstoppable for Rose when he's on song and his pace and trickery could lead to an uncomfortable afternoon for the experienced Wilson.

Stewart Easton v Tommy Coyne

EASTON has been a rock-like figure at the heart of the Bathgate defence this season and he'll need to be on his toes up against a dangerous man like Coyne.