Fort fired up for Dee cup challenge

Highland lads on learning curve says MacLean

By Ross McTavish

Published:

FORT William manager Calum MacLean is not surprised his struggling side have been tipped to suffer a Scottish Cup shock at Banks o’ Dee.

The Highland League’s bottom club take on the Junior Superleague champions, who are making their debut in the nation’s showpiece knockout competition.

MacLean, pictured below, believes a lot of people will be expecting his team to lose on Saturday, despite their superior status.

But the Fort boss insists his young squad will make the long trip to Aberdeen believing they can kill off Dee’s cup dreams.

He said: “The Junior game is very good, and there are a lot of players in it who should be at a higher level.

“We are bottom of the Highland League, so a lot of people will expect us to lose.

“But we have improved slightly since last year, when we were getting annihilated.

“Our standards are getting better and we are looking to get through to the next round of the cup.”

MacLean reckons both sides would have been delighted when they were paired together in the first round.

He said: “It’s one of the better draws for us and we are glad we are not playing a club from the Highland League.

“But they will look at our league position and they will be happy as well.”

With a lack of experienced players in his side, the Claggan Park boss believes Dee will definitely provide a stern test in the intriguing clash.

He said: “Although we are the senior club, we have very little finances and a lot of young players.

“There is not much experience in the team and most of the players are aged between 19 and 21.

“The game will be a big learning curve for them, but we are looking forward to coming to Aberdeen.

“From what I’ve heard, Banks o’ Dee are a good side.

“We have quite a young team, and this will be the first taste of the Scottish Cup for a lot of them.

“But we are looking to progress, although we know it will be hard.”