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The players head for Livingston on Saturday, hoping to make history as the first Cove Rangers team to reach the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

The odds are stacked against them – our hosts are flying-high in the battle for promotion to the Premiership, and on Wednesday night reached the Final of the SPFL Trust Trophy – but we are also in good form, and after a run of impressive results, and some big wins on our travels, manager Paul Hartley believes a positive approach will increase our chances:

“I think that’s exactly what we must have. I’ve seen quite a lot of Livi, and we’ve played them in recent years, so we know we’re up against a very strong team, but we have to go there with loads of confidence and play our own style, our own football.

“They can hurt us if we give them time and space, so we have to stop that, and the players’ concentration levels will have to be high.”

Cove are the only side outwith the top two divisions remaining in the competition, and Paul says the players should take pride from that:

“We deserve to be there after two really good wins against Inverness and Forfar without conceding a goal, and we go to Livingston in a strong frame of mind given the league form.

“The players are looking forward to it, they’re really excited to still be in the Cup at this stage. There’s an opportunity there for them, and we’ll need the whole squad on Saturday. Sometimes, if you’re struggling in the league, the Cup can be tricky, but we’re going well and we’ve got a chance.

“We’re not the favourites, but in this game, you never know what can happen.”

Having been recalled by Aberdeen from his successful loan spell at Balmoral, Adam Emslie is out of our plans, and the gaffer admits he will be a miss:

“It’s thrown us a wee bit, it came really late in the window, but they’ve done it because his form since he came to us has been excellent. He has given us goals and assists, and his overall play has been really good, so we’re gutted we’ve lost him, but it gives somebody else a chance.

“We have got a load of games in the next couple of weeks, so there will be opportunities, there will be a bit of rotation, and it’s up to whoever comes in to make an impact.”

It will mean the manager having to change his starting line-up for the first time in six matches. Quinn Coulson is cup-tied, having featured as a substitute for Arbroath earlier in the competition, while Liam Parker and Will Gillingham are still being monitored after injury lay-offs.

Supporters heading down to West Lothian can purchase their tickets in advance HERE

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