SAUCHIE star Ant McTaggart insisted that his side are fired up for Saturday's Scottish Cup clash with Hurlford at Beechwood Park.

The Wee County side are looking to spring a shock against the much-fancied outfit from Ayrshire, and the midfielder believes they have what it takes to reach the last eight for the second season in a row.

McTaggart told Advertiser Sport: "A win on Saturday would give us a massive lift for the rest of the season. We'd be into the quarter-finals as well which we did last year.

"When you're still in the cup there's always something to look forward to. It creates a real buzz about the place.

"Hurlford are a big team but that's the sort of team we seem to do well against. We will be right up for it.

"It is a really hard draw because they're a well-established team in the west who are paying boys decent money.

"Everybody will need to know their jobs and work hard on Saturday. But are motivated for it and hopefully that will mean we can get the result on Saturday."

McTaggart is hoping the game proves a big attraction for the community of Sauchie, and wants to experience an atmosphere similar to that at their victory over Camelon in the last round.

He said: "It's a huge game so we're hoping to get a big crowd down for it.

"It will be good for the community to get the chance to come out and give us a bit of backing. It would be great to have everyone behind us with a few more bodies through the gates. If we play well, people might start coming back as well.

"That will give us a massive lift. When we played Camelon in the last round there was a great atmosphere about the place."

McTaggart reckons last Saturday's postponed clash with Jeanfield Swifts will have little bearing on the outcome, and is confident his team-mates will work hard to make sure they are in peak condition for the game.

He added: "The Jeanfield game being off won't matter too much because the boys all work hard at keeping themselves fit anyway.

"It's not ideal because we've had so many games off, but when it's such an important game that sees you through.