Falkirk manager John McGlynn brands Scottish Cup trip to Wick Academy as "David versus Goliath"
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Falkirk manager John McGlynn expects Wick Academy to rise to the occasion of their “David and Goliath” cup tie.
League One outfit Falkirk will make the journey to Caithness today ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup match at Harmsworth Park.
For McGlynn personally, it will be his first trip to the most northerly senior club in Scottish football, but some others at Falkirk have been able to give some insight on what to expect.
“My assistant Paul Smith was up there with Raith Rovers 10 years ago for a cup tie,” McGlynn explained.
“I had left in the summer of 2012, and Paul was still there as assistant manager to Grant Murray.
“Coll Donaldson went up with Livingston one year to play a pre-season friendly, and Paddy Martin says he went up there with Hibs – but not many of us have been there before.
“We know there is a right good slope on the pitch.
“We’re aware of that, but for most of us seeing will be believing. You can be told about these things, we’ve got to be professional because we’ve got a job to do.
“We understand that Wick’s players are going to give it everything they’ve got to make it difficult, and they will be spurred on by the David and Goliath situation.
“We’ve got to try and dampen their hopes, take control of the game early on and not give them any encouragement.”
While some may feel the pressure of the favourites tag that will be bestowed on Falkirk this weekend, McGlynn insists his side are used to it.
“We’ve got to handle the fact that we will be favourites to win the tie,” he stressed.
“Wick haven’t got anything to lose, so we have to treat this game as a potential banana skin.
“We find that most weeks though, being at a club like Falkirk. We’re the biggest club in the league, so we carry that week in and week out – this doesn’t change anything for us.”
A strong atmosphere is expected at Harmsworth Park for what is one of the biggest matches Wick have ever played.
The Scorries are always backed by a strong and vocal support, but McGlynn also expects the travelling Falkirk faithful to play their part.
“I think we’ll bring a fair few fans,” he said.
“I haven’t had a figure from the club as to how many tickets have been sold, but there’s no doubt we carry a big support.
“There’s a little bit of an attraction – maybe people haven’t been to Wick, and they’ll look at this as a one-off.
“They might go and make a weekend of it, which might help the coffers in Wick.
“There will be a decent following coming up, and they’re always vocal and noisy, so hopefully that creates an atmosphere that spurs the players on.”
