Montrose have been left in no doubt about what lies in store for them in the Scottish Cup this afternoon.
The manager of East of Scotland League champions Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale has described today’s second round clash as their “biggest game ever”.
And Links Park boss Paul Hegarty has warned his players that if they don’t match their non-league opponents’ hunger, they will be out of the cup before the clocks go back.
Hegarty, who has recent experience of having to do his homework on an unfamiliar team in last season’s play-offs, said: “If our attitude is not spot on then we could well have a problem. It has to be right on the money.
“We spoke to the players straight after the Arbroath game about what would be required this week and, to be fair, they were excellent in training on Tuesday and Thursday.
“There’s no doubt this will be a tricky game.
“We had them watched against Hawick Royal Albert and they ran riot, winning 5-1.
“They are sure to rise to the occasion, and even though we’ve checked them out, you can never be totally certain of what you’re coming up against in games like this.”
Ex-Dundee United defender Adam Harwood has been added to the squad after signing a short term contract through to January.
The 20-year-old Northern Irishman will provide cover for a defence that has been depleted recently by injury and suspension. He spent much of last season with the Gable Endies on loan from Tannadice, making 11 appearances.
Hegarty said: “Adam will be a good addition to our squad. He can play at right-back and centre-half. If he does well we can look at it again in January.”
The flip-side of the coin is that Paul Watson, Matty Allan and Adam McWilliam are all out, while Ryan Kenneth is a doubt due to a chest infection.
Today’s game at Saughton Enclosure will be a trip down memory lane for Edinburgh-born Hegarty.
“I’ll be going back to one of my old stomping grounds,” he recalled.
“The juvenile finals used to be played there in my day, so I know where I’m going.
“It always used to be a lovely surface, and hopefully it’s a good pitch we’re playing on tomorrow.”