Inverurie Locos captain Neil McLean is happy for his side to be classed as the underdogs at Formartine United in the second round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, but reckons it can cause an upset at North Lodge Park.
McLean joined Formartine goalkeeper Andy Shearer yesterday to promote the all-Highland League fixture.
The Locos midfielder says Formartine have earned the right to be favourites after winning all eight of their opening league fixtures and embarking on a run to the quarter-finals of the Ramsdens Cup.
The bookies rarely get it wrong but McLean believes his side can pull off a cup upset at Pitmedden at the weekend.
The 32-year-old said: “Formartine are above us in the league so I think it is right we are the underdogs. Formartine are the favourites to win, but it is a cup game and a derby so it could go either way.
“If we give a good account of ourselves then you never know what can happen. We will have to play to our full potential and hope Formartine have an off-day.
“We weren’t too disappointed with the draw, but when you get to the second round you either want a really easy tie, a home tie or to play somebody different.
“To get Formartine away is probably one of the hardest ties to come out the hat, but it is one we are looking forward to.”
His side may be odds-on to progress but Formartine goalkeeper Shearer is certainly not expecting an easy contest.
The 29-year-old said: “In the Highland League there are a lot of teams that can beat each other on their day. It is a tie we can win but the same can be said for Locos. We know each other so well and it is going be down to who plays the best on Saturday.
“Both teams will view this as a match they can win.
“Our run in the Ramsdens Cup was a big bonus and we would love to do something similar in the Scottish Cup.”
The Formartine goalkeeper added: “We are playing a team from our own league on Saturday but you always want to test yourself against one of the more senior clubs.
“The only way you can do that is by working your way through some of the rounds.
“This is an opportunity for ourselves and Locos to progress and test ourselves against these senior teams in the rounds that follow, so hopefully we can get the job done.”