Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim insists he had no fear when goalkeeper Stuart Collins stepped up to take the club’s crucial fifth shoot-out penalty.
That’s because he knew the number one would stick his effort away, describing him as “one of the best penalty takers at the club”.
Burgh travelled to Dundee on Saturday looking to earn a coveted last-16 spot in the Scottish Junior Cup.
After going behind in the first half, they battled back to 1-1 thanks to Jojo Gillespie’s sublime volley.
With the tie going all the way to penalties, up stepped Collins to be the hero, saving three and scoring one to ensure the Keanie Park side went through to the next round.
McKim told Express Sport: “It was an incredible game and we were delighted with the result.
“When they scored about 20 minutes before half-time, I honestly thought we’d chucked it we were playing so poorly.
“We had some strong words at half-time with the boys and honestly it was like we’d made 11 changes in the second half.
“The players were terrific and Gillespie scored a brilliant goal, which actually came about when one of their players went down with a mysterious head knock.
“No-one had been anywhere near him, so it felt like a bit of karma when we got the ball back from the referee and went up the other end and scored straight away.
“We managed the game to penalties and then I was pretty confident we’d go on and win it.
“There were a few concerned moans when our goalkeeper went up to take our fifth penalty, but I wasn’t concerned in the slightest.
“Stuart is one of the best penalty takers at the club. If he was an outfield player he’d be taking them for us all the time.
“It was a great moment for all the boys and the club when Ryan Wallace stuck away the winning kick.”
Burgh’s reward for progressing is a tasty home tie against Premier Division side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.
While the Renfrewshire side will be underdogs going into the clash, McKim is confident his players can step up to the task at hand.
He said: “To get a top flight team at home is brilliant for the club.
“We’ve got a rich history in the Scottish Cup and the local community really buy into it.
“We should get a really big crowd, which is great for the players and ultimately the club’s finances as well.
“We haven’t reached the quarters for a long time, something like 20 years or more.
“We know it’s going to be a tough ask but we’re always confident we can come up with a game plan to deal with any team, especially at Keanie Park.”
