BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Linlithgow Rose hero Graham Weir has revealed he shot down Forfar Athletic with a pair of borrowed boots.
After a thrill-a-minute first-half which saw Michael Travis and Ruiri MacLennan exchange goals, Rose’s Scottish Cup dream looked to be fading after the break when the Loons raced into a 3-1 lead and Gary Thom was dismissed for the hosts.
However, David McGlynn’s men fought their way back into the contest through a Jamie McKenzie goal before former Hearts striker Weir secured a replay for the 10-man Juniors with a sensational low drive.
He put the crisp strike down to his ‘new’ boots, which he pinched from his younger brother, Steven – a striker with Penicuik Athletic – after popping round for a cuppa.
Weir told Capital City Press: “I could not have caught it any sweeter, it might have something to do with these new boots! I took a loan of them from my brother, Stevie, on the morning before the game.
“I went up for a cup of tea and he was saying his game was off, so I thought ‘why not?’ I fancied a wee change, so this was the first time I was wearing them. They seemed to do the job.
“Hopefully, these are my new lucky boots. I just hope Stevie gives me them – I’ll definitely be asking for them for the replay.”
Proud
The main who announced himself to Scottish football as fresh-faced teenager with two stoppage time goals in the famous 4-4 Edinburgh derby draw at Tynecastle back in 2003 evidently still has a flair for the dramatic.
And Weir sees no reason they cannot go one better at Station Park next Tuesday.
He continued: “It’s a massive goal for me personally but, more importantly, for the club. It keeps us in the cup and we can look forward to the replay.
“If we play like we did on Saturday, then I fancy us. There’s nothing to worry about, and the boys knew that before the game.”
Rose gaffer David McGlynn added: “The whole team, from start to finish, were brilliant. We hit the bar, the post and their keeper has made saves.
“I’m proud as punch, but also a bit disappointed. I think we would have won that game if it had stayed 11 versus 11.”
