Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid has warned his players they must earn the right to beat Glasgow University and avoid becoming a Scottish Cup scalp for the students.
The Cliftonhill outfit face a tricky second round tie on Saturday when they make the short journey across Monklands to Airdrie’s New Broomfield ground, where the West of Scotland League Second Division side play their home games.
Glasgow Uni are just above the relegation zone in their league, while Rovers are currently bottom of League Two and anything other than a victory for Reid’s men is unthinkable.
Rovers have suffered early exits to the likes of Highland League sides Buckie Thistle and Formartine United in recent seasons and Reid wants to make sure they are in the hat for the third round draw.
He said: “These games are always potential banana skins so we’ve got to make sure we go and approach it in the right manner.
“We know these games are always tricky because Glasgow University have got nothing to lose, so they will be dangerous.
“It is a free hit for them and we need to be aware of that.
“I think it is the same for every team in the competition who is playing a club below them in the leagues.
“We all know if you are slack and you don’t approach it in the right manner you can become undone.
“We need to make sure that doesn’t happen to us because it is so important for clubs like us to get a run in the cup because of the finances it can bring in.
“But there’s also pride in yourself as players to go and win the game.
“It would be great for the confidence as well to get a cup run so hopefully we can do that this season.”
Glasgow go into the game off the back of a 5-3 win away to Kennoway Star Hearts in the South Challenge Cup, while Rovers picked up a 1-1 draw at high-flying Dumbarton so both teams go in confident.
Reid took in Glasgow’s recent 1-0 win over Yoker on September 24 and said: “I’ve watched Glasgow University already when we had a free week last month.
“They beat Yoker that day 1-0 so it was good to see them in person and what they will offer.
“We’ve got to be professional and go and earn the right to win the game.”
Saturday’s clash is a 3pm kick-off.
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