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With a nine-game unbeaten run behind them, the team heads for Forthbank Stadium this weekend hoping to realise dreams of Scottish Cup glory.

This will be the seventeenth consecutive season we have played in the national knockout tournament, and the players and management are desperate for success. The target for all is to emulate the achievements of the 2017-18 squad when, while still a Highland League club, they reached the fifth round.

We face a tough opener against a side we beat just last week, coming from behind thanks to a Rumarn Burrell hat-trick; a result Paul Hartley believes might not have been achievable a couple of months ago:

“It was a similar story against Montrose last midweek. There’s a calmness about the squad now, even when we went a goal down, we felt we could still win the game.

“It’s all about the momentum we have. It’s been some turnaround in terms of the players’ belief, their mentality, and we go into every match now believing we can take full points. Two to three months ago we probably didn’t have that feeling. I do think we’re in a really good place right now.”

Another plus last Saturday was the return, after almost three months on the sidelines, of Josh Kerr, who slipped comfortably into the backline and looked as if he had never been away. The twenty-five year old admits he did have a few nerves beforehand:

“It was a bit strange standing in the tunnel waiting to go out, but once I was on the pitch it was fine and I just trusted my fitness. I maybe didn’t expect to play ninety minutes, but I’m glad I did, and it was such a relief being out there again.

“I’ve got to give thanks to Charlotte, the physio, and the medical team for all the help they gave me. The hardest bit was probably when I was getting close and I felt ‘I’m ready, I’m ready,’ but just had to be patient. In the end, getting an extra week before playing again did help; I felt so much better.”

With the draw having thrown up back-to-back encounters against Albion, does that present particular problems for the team? The manager thinks not:

“It was a tough game last week, but it will be different this time round. It’s the Cup, it’s a grass pitch, and it’s a big tie for both clubs. Our approach stays the same; we go there, roll the sleeves up and be ready for a battle.”

Josh also believes playing the same side two games in a row is largely irrelevant:

“You’ve got to see past that, the game won’t be anything like it was on Saturday, and you just have to reset. We have to treat it like every other one, show that ruthless side, and do what we’ve been doing throughout this run.

“Obviously you want the glamour tie, to test yourself against the bigger teams. This is just the start of the journey and we are going to have to be fully focused on Stirling, do the job, and if we make it through, then we can look forward to the draw.”

The gaffer is also concentrating on this game, but he knows the potential value of getting through, and how important the chance to make serious money is for the club:

“We have missed out in the past, some big draws, but because of COVID, smaller crowds, which meant we lost out. If we can get through, it would be nice, at some stage, for the players to get to play at a bigger stadium, to show what they can do, and of course there would be the financial reward too.”

“At this level, every penny counts. You’ve seen what that has meant to some of the smaller clubs, perhaps getting the Old Firm two years in a row. What a difference that makes to the finances.

“Aside from that, it’s a great tournament, still very special. I love it, it was good to me, winning it two years on the bounce with Hearts and Celtic, and it would be brilliant to enjoy some success in it with Cove.

“We have to be on it, we will work hard, and hopefully the rewards will be there for all of us.”

Mitch Megginson will miss the tie, the captain suspended after being sent off against Ayr United last season, but it is hoped Fraser Fyvie and Mark Reynolds will be fit again, and the manager has no other selection worries to contend with.

Fans are reminded that there are no longer replays in the Scottish Cup; the tie will be decided on the day, with extra-time and a penalty shootout if necessary.

The draw for the Fourth Round will be made live on Sportscene on BBC Scotland on Sunday evening. The programme starts at 7.15pm.

Tickets for the game can be bought in advance HERE

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