Brechin will have even more incentive than usual to progress through to the next round of the William Hill Scottish Cup following the sad news earlier this week that the club’s former physio Tommy Gilmartin had passed away.
City boss Ray McKinnon admitted the popular medic will be sorely missed as he meant so much to everyone at the club.
That affection ensures that when the Brechin players travel to face League Two strugglers Annan this afternoon, they will be going all out to win in tribute to Tommy.
McKinnon said: “We will definitely not be taking anything for granted against Annan.
“Grant (assistant manager Johnson) went to watch them when we played Forfar and we have done our homework on them.
“They have an artificial surface which will give them a bit of an advantage as they are used to training and playing on it.
“So we are under no illusions how tough it will be. They have a lot of experienced players like Peter Weatherson and we will treat them with respect.
“However, if we can play the way we have done recently then we will give them a good game.
“The lads also have the added incentive of winning for Tommy.
“I knew him really well and everyone at the club was shocked and saddened to hear he had died.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“Tommy did so much for the club as well as the wider community and often helped players out for free.
“He will be sorely missed and is a big loss.
“I broke the news to the boys on Thursday night and it would mean so much if we could win this cup tie.
“It would be great to get through and either draw one of the big guns or opponents that would give us a better chance of getting into the last eight.”
Brechin will be without on-loan Aberdeen midfielder Jamie Masson as his parent club do not want him cup-tied.