Shotts boss John McKeown was pleased with the quality of their goals in Saturday’s win over Royal Albert that got 2025 off to a winning start.

West of Scotland Premier outfit Bonny booked their place in the fourth round of the West Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Albert at Hannah Park, which came courtesy of goals from Danny Burns, Ben Richford and Jack Gordon.

It was the club’s first match since December 18 due to the festive break and postponements and McKeown was delighted to start the year on a winning note against their Fourth Division opponents.

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He said: “We looked a bit ring rusty after a month without a game, but we are just pleased to be through.

“We started the game okay and got our noses in front, then we had a couple cleared off the line.

“In the last 20 minutes of the first half, Royal Albert actually did really well and had chances themselves.

“We rejigged things at half-time and in the second half we were dominant and possibly could have won the game by a few more goals. I think Royal Albert tired and we scored some quality goals.

“That was the big highlight of the game, the finishing, but we missed quite a lot of chances and had goals ruled out for offside and handball.

“It was a good performance and our fitness levels showed towards the end.”

Bonny’s reward is a trip to First Division St Roch’s in the next round and McKeown added: “That will be a tasty one. We know it will be a hard game, they are top of their league.

“We did well against them in the cups last year and it will be especially tough at their park.”

Shotts return to league business on Saturday when they visit leaders Clydebank, who go into the clash off the back of a big Scottish Cup trip to Premiership side Hibernian on Saturday, where they lost 3-0

McKeown, whose side are second bottom with one win from 11 games, said: “It was an amazing experience for them and they gave a good account of themselves against Hibs. They had good spells of possession.

“They have a good experienced squad and they are riding high at the top of our league so we know how difficult it is going to be.

“We did okay against them at Hannah Park very early in the season [a 2-1 loss], so I hope we can repeat that kind of performance away from home.

“If we can show the finishing we showed on Saturday we will give ourselves a chance. I feel we’ve given a good enough account of ourselves so far this season but we have to do better in terms of points, it is as simple as that.

“It is okay playing well and competing well, but a league comes down to points on the board so the next few months will be big for us.”