Rutherglen Glencairn manager Tam Miller is aiming to lead the club into the Scottish Cup proper for only the second time in their history as they prepare for their first hurdle this weekend. Glens face Dundonald Bluebell in the second qualifying phase of the competition on Saturday.
Previous Scottish Cup attempts
Glens have previously suffered preliminary round defeats to Penicuik Athletic and Kilwinning Rangers. The club made history in 2024 when they reached the first round for the first time, only to lose 3-2 at Cowdenbeath. Last season, Newtongrange Star won 4-2 at the Hamish B Allan Stadium to deny Glens in a preliminary clash.
This season features three rounds of preliminaries. Miller hopes to follow predecessor Joe Pryce by guiding them to the first round proper.
Opponent and form guide
Dundonald Bluebell, from Lochgelly, play in the East of Scotland Premier Division but have had a mixed start with one win and four defeats in their opening league matches. Glencairn have recorded two wins, two defeats and a draw in the West of Scotland Premier Division.
Miller told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "It is a massive game for the club. I don't really know too much about Dundonald but we know they will be a good team going by them playing the East Premier Division. They will be a tough opponent for us."
He added: "There's been a couple of close calls in recent year so we want to make it through to the first round [proper]. I think we'll have a big crowd because of the occasion and everyone is looking forward to it. We have a few injuries to contend with but we will assess them during the week."
Injury concerns and cup progress
Glens prepared for this weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Linton Hotspur in round one of the South Challenge Cup on Saturday. Allan Woodhouse's strike was the only goal. Miller admitted his side were far from their best but was pleased to bounce back from a 4-3 league defeat at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside, a game in which Glens had led 2-0.
Miller said: "It was a tighter game than we expected on Saturday but, given the situation we are in right now with players who are injured and unavailable, we will take an away win. We are just hitting that point where we have so many injuries at the moment. We had five or six out and we sent some boys out on loan as well, so numbers are lower than where we need them to be."
He added: "There were a few boys we expected to come back but they have had further setbacks. For example, Josh McGrillen had been in and out with his hamstring. We got him back against Glenafton a couple of weeks ago, put some boys up for loan, but Josh had now done his knee."
Miller continued: "I still think it is the right decision to get these boys game time out on loan, but we just need to ease a lot of injured players back into the squad when we can. A win is a win, especially in the cup. It wasn't the best performance from us but I think to get a clean sheet and get into the next round, that was the main aim."
Saturday's clash with Dundonald Bluebell kicks off at 2.30pm at Hamish B Allan Stadium.
