Craig Nelson may be the elder statesman of the Brechin City team by some distance, but the veteran keeper is as hungry as a teenager for a taste of Scottish Cup glory.
A place in the last eight awaits the 39-year-old and his Glebe Park team-mates if the second division club can see off Highland League side Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park this afternoon.
For Nelson, it would be an end of career high to savour. He said, “I have had a few good cup runs in the past. The best one was probably with Ayr when we got to the CIS Cup final.
“We beat premier league teams to get there and that’s what the cup is all about. You always look to beat teams a level above you and that’s what makes Buckie dangerous because they’ll be out to prove a point for themselves and for the Highland League.”
He added, “At my age you tend to think those days are behind you so I’d love to get another one. I don’t think half of the team were even born when I first started playing in the cup.
“They are a good bunch of lads and the spirit in the dressing room is really good. You usually find one or two at a club who can cause some unrest but I can honestly say that’s not the case here.”
Most of the squad stayed overnight in a local hotel, which Nelson believes will benefit them.
He said, “It’s a great thing. It cuts down the travelling time, which is good for the legs, and also gets the lads together on the night before.
“At Ayr we used to stay in a hotel the night before every cup game and it definitely helped us on our run. It felt like a big occasion. The lads all got together for something to eat and had a wee quiz.
“The boys would then break off and play a few games of cards before heading to bed. It worked for us at Ayr, the boys loved it, so hopefully it will work for us.”‘I still like a night out’Nelson may be just a few months from his 40th birthday, but he’s not ruling out another tilt at the Scottish Cup next season.
He said, “I am trying to get another year out of the manager at the moment. I feel good and don’t see the end coming yet. To be honest, with the way I am feeling I think it would have to be an injury which puts me out of the game.
“It would have to be enforced because I am still enjoying it and still feel in decent shape.”
He added, “There has been no secret to it. I don’t do anything special.
“You hear people saying they don’t eat this food or they avoid that or even stay away from the drink.
“But I still like a night out and a bit of junk food occasionally. I work hard when I am in training and try my best that’s about it.”
Brechin boss Jim Weir wants an instant reaction from his players after they lost their unbeaten away league record at Livingston in midweek.
He said, “”Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong against Livingston. It was the worst we have played all season.
“Too many of my players had a bad day but I’m not going to slaughter them because they’ve been brilliant for me all season. We’ve got to put it behind us. The sign of a good team is how quickly we move on.”Importance for Highland LeagueHe added, “It’s a cracking cup tie to look forward to. People will be hoping that there’s a Buckie fairytale with a Highland League team getting to the quarter-finals but we know what’s at stake for ourselves.
“It’s our opportunity to get to the last eight for the first time in Brechin’s history. That should spur us on to run that extra yard.”
Buckie expect a sell-out 2600 crowd at Victoria Park as they aim to maintain an unbeaten home record dating to October 2009.
Manager Gregg Carrol has said this is the most important match in the Banffshire club’s 122-year history but it is just as significant for their division.
He said, “This is our biggest game ever and, while it’s a big ask, if we beat Brechin City we will become the first Highland League team since Elgin City in 1954 to reach the last eight.
“That makes it huge for the entire division but of course, first and foremost, it’s massive for the town of Buckie.”
He added, “It’s an achievable goal for us to get through as you just need a wee rub of the green and it being at home is a big help. Brechin are a really good football side so we need to be on the top of our game to do anything.
“But there are people down in the central belt who disregard the Highland League which is wrong because there are good teams with good fanbases.
“We will have a great support pressed right up against the park which will make for a great atmosphere.”