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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Buckie Thistle boss Stewart explains why his side have 'already won' Celtic clash

Buckie Thistle boss Graeme Stewart insists the Highland League side have "already won" their Scottish Cup tie against Celtic because of the cash injection and the media coverage.

The Jags face the Hoops at Parkhead on Sunday January 21 and Stewart has maintained the importance of making sure his team are prepared otherwise "things could get silly"

Buckie Thistle prepared for the clash in Glasgow with a 1-0 victory against Huntly on Saturday and their manager claims they are looking forward to the fixture.

Speaking to the BBC Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "“We spoke about that [the upcoming Celtic tie] before the game [against Huntly on Saturday].

"We said ‘Look if we don’t win this game, then we probably aren’t going to enjoy the following week as much as we would.

"I'm absolutely delighted [with the 3-2 win last weekend] because we can now enjoy the next week. I honestly haven’t thought about it.

"I will now, don’t get me wrong. I am focusing on it now. We have to be honest. We have won already by getting there.

"We have won, in terms of finances for the club and the exposure the club has got has been fantastic, so we have taken in new fans and sponsorship.

"All of that has been amazing But our focus was on the league. That’s what I was doing. I have a full-time job and a family.

"Now I can fully focus on it. I have already started today. I have already apologised to the guys because they are going to get bombarded with information over the next week.

"We are going to need it. It’s nothing like we have faced before. We have to be focused and pressured.

If we aren’t prepared, then it could get silly.”

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