Irn Bru Cup: Up and Allum! Ross relishing Linfield challenge

Posted on Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

It’s undoubtedly the biggest competitive game in The Spartans 66 year history. Northern Irish Premiership side Linfield make the journey across the water to Ainslie Park for the Round 2 clash against the men from the Lowland League in Round 2 of the Irn Bru Cup.

The Belfast outfit sit top of their table after four domestic outings and have yet to concede a goal. One man out to change that is Spartans striker Ross Allum.

Allum, who has found the net fourteen times since making the move from our new lodgers Edinburgh City in January this year, spoke of how he was relishing the opportunity to have a crack at David Healy MBE’s men.

“It’s a huge game for all of us against a team that have competed in the Champions League. They’ve been to Parkhead and only lost 0-4, a lot better than many Scottish Premiership teams have done recently, so they are obviously a decent side. We know it’s going to be tough, but the lads are buzzing for it so we’re going to enjoy the occasion and play the game as it goes.”

The 28 year old striker, who has experience of playing in the SPFL with City, has casted his watchful eye over the opponents, albeit unaware at the time.

“I watched the second leg against Celtic whilst I was on holiday, mind you little did I know Spartans would be playing them a couple of months later! Since then they’ve done well in their league and come here unbeaten but I don’t think folk should underestimate us either.”

“We’re at home and whilst they’ll be used to playing at their National Stadium, the intimate surroundings of Ainslie Park in front of a bumper crowd and on 3G may be enough to help guide us through.”
Saturday’s tie has all the makings of a romance of the cup tale and the potential for some real life Roy of the Rovers stuff for the industrious forward.

“A lot of people have written us off already and maybe rightly so based on the stature of them, but I’m confident we can give them a game and you never know, if it’s still tight at the break, we may just press on and burst a few coupons on Saturday!

“There’s been some disappointing negative press about the competition but I’m all for it, especially when you see the crowd this weekend and the noise they will create, it’ll be a lot more different to what we are used to.

“Spartans have a good cup pedigree and have had some fantastic runs over the years. It’s something I want to be part of and one of the reasons I joined the club.”

The Irn Bru Cup 2nd Round tie at Ainslie Park kicks-off at 3pm.