Weir urges players to ignore hype ahead of cup clash

Brechin City manager Jim Weir says he will be giving his players the same message he would be if they were still facing Dundee as opposed to Rangers in tomorrow’s televised Ramsdens Cup clash at Glebe Park.

Prior to Dundee’s elevation to the SPL to replace Rangers, Brechin had been expecting to face the Dens Park side in the first round of the tournament.

However, the tie has now taken on a wholly new complexion with newco Rangers finally given permission to play their first competitive match thanks to last night’s decision to grant them temporary SFA membership.

Weir is wary of his players becoming caught up in the hype now surrounding the game, and will attempt to focus their minds on the task in hand.

He said: “I want the players to do themselves justice as players and that would be the same message if we were still playing Dundee.

“I reckon we have put together a good squad but they need to go out and show they are a good squad in what was always shaping up as a big day for Brechin.

Weir added: “A lot of the attention for this game has been focused on Rangers but our players have the opportunity to make a big impact themselves. Hopefully they can take it but playing to the very best of their ability and seeing where that takes them.”

“Rangers put out a very strong side against Albion Rovers in a closed-doors game last Saturday and there has been talk of signing guys like Ian Black and Craig Beattie joining them.

“They continue to have quality in their ranks but we have to show what we can do.”

Brechin have veteran goalkeeper Craig Nelson struggling with a knee injury with Michael Andrews in line for his debut if Nelson fails to make it. Defender Gerry McLauchlan and midfielder Alan Trouten are also both likely to miss out due to hamstring problems.