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Celtic tie 'miss' still haunts Broxburn boss as he hopes Stranraer clash paves way for second chance

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Broxburn boss Stevie Pittman admits he’s dreaming of getting past Stranraer and facing Celtic in the next round of the Scottish Cup after ‘missing out’ on a money-spinning tie with the Hoops last season.

The Brox lost out in dramatic fashion to Buckie Thistle in last season’s third round.

Pittman’s side scored in the last minute of extra-time to go 2-1 up on Buckie having watched them equalise at the death of regular time.

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However, their rivals hit back immediately in the final knockings of extra-time as well to force penalties and ended up winning the shootout.

Buckie then landed a glamour trip to Celtic Park in the fourth round and that is still something that sticks in the throat of Pittman.

So he hopes luck will be on their side against the Blues in a third round tie on Saturday, so they can be in with a chance of facing the bhoys in green and white in round four.

Pittman said: “This could completely change your season. You never know what can happen if you get through. We missed out on Celtic last season by seconds. We would’ve been at Parkhead if we’d gotten through.

“Buckie scored in the 98th minute to take it to extra-time and then they scored in the 123rd minute to take it to penalties - and then we missed our last penalty.

“You couldn’t write a script like that. There couldn’t have been a worse way ever to lose a game - I’ve never had a feeling like it in my life.

“We even knew then what would happen, that they’d draw Celtic. Sure enough they did and they made about £300,000 or whatever from it.

Celtic's Paolo Bernardo (L) scores to make it 1-0 during a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth round match between Celtic and Buckie Thistle
Celtic's Paolo Bernardo (L) scores to make it 1-0 during a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth round match between Celtic and Buckie Thistle -Credit:SNS Group

“So the boys know what’s at stake. You could get Celtic or Rangers and that’s what everyone is looking for.

“Stranraer will be thinking the same. For us to come away with anything, we’ll need to perform to the best of our ability.

“It will be a tough day but I believe the boys can do it on their day. You need a wee bit of luck as well.

“We will have our work cut out, away from home and travelling down that day. It will be a tough ask.”

Broxburn warmed-up for the game with a 1-0 defeat to Hearts B in the Lowland League last Friday night.

But Pittman hailed the second half display and believes if they can reproduce that for the whole game at Stranraer, they’ll give themselves a shot at an upset.

He added:”We lost a poor goal on Friday but there was a handball in the build-up.

“The second half was probably the best we’ve played all year. We were excellent and could have scored five or six goals but it just didn’t happen for us. I thought we were really good.

“We were excellent and could have scored five or six goals but it just didn’t happen for us. I thought we were really good. I obviously wasn’t happy with the result but I was really happy with the second half performance.

“Sometimes that happens in games. Errol Douglas had a few chances and he usually finishes them for us, but it was one of those days where you get a couple cleared off the line and their goalkeeper makes some great saves.

“If we start like that against Stranraer, we’ll have a chance.”