BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
EWAN MOYES made Scottish Cup history with Brechin City – only to be to denied a date at Hampden by his own hometown club.
Now the Bonnyrigg Rose stopper is determined to write his name into the competition’s folklore once more when Dumbarton visit New Dundas Park.
Moyes, who was a pivotal part of the Rose side that won the East Super League title last term, is no stranger to a giant-killing after helping Brechin reach the quarter-final of the tournament in 2011.
It was the first time that the Glebe Park men had ever reached the last eight but, with the national stadium in sight, they lost out to St Johnstone after a replay.
But that has only served to make Moyes, born and bred in Perth, more hungry for another memorable cup run.
“You always need to be optimistic coming into this competition. I’ve played in the Scottish Cup before and have good memories of my time with Brechin when we got to the quarter-final,” said Moyes. “I know what upsets are all about.
“We played St Johnstone and managed to take them to a replay, so we were within touching distance of going to Hampden. Hopefully, Saturday can be another one to remember.
“That was the first time Brechin had been in the last eight for more than 100 years, but there was still a sense of ‘what might have been’ when you come so close.
“We drew 2-2 at Glebe Park and, given no-one gave us a hope, it just goes to show how unpredictable the Scottish Cup is.”
While hardly outsiders of Leicester City proportions, Bonnyrigg’s march to the title last term raised a few eyebrows and has fostered the Junior outfit with plenty of belief as they attempt to stun their Championship visitors.
“When the league started we were 25/1 shots and in the end we ended up walking it,” Moyes added. “We have a squad packed with good players, experienced pros and guys who could probably still play at a higher level.
“People talk about ‘team spirit’ a lot, but it is true that when you get a good dressing room, and develop a winning mentality, it is hard to stop. The momentum builds.
“There is, of course, a difference between Junior and Championship level but we feel that, at our best, we can compete and I think you will see a really tight game. We’re really confident.”
Bonnyrigg have been further buoyed in the build upto the clash by the return of Ross Archibald, who skippered the club to title glory last term before retiring in the close season.
Moyes added: “With us being a bit short, he is coming back for the game on Saturday and has signed again, which is another wee boost.
“That would be some story if he was to come off the bench and make the difference – you never know!”
