Graham Weir: I'll never forget Rose goal for my grandfather

Weir bagged the opener as Rose prevailed in the second preliminary round and the former Hearts striker explained just how much that strike meant to him.

“My grandfather died on Saturday morning and a couple of days ago he asked me to score a goal for him and for my brother Jimbo who passed away a year ago, so it was a very important goal for me and for the team,” said Weir. “This goal is special for me and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

Weir’s fifth-minute goal was followed up by Blair Batchelor’s header two minutes later as Lithgae looked to be cruising, but Threave pulled a goal back through Ben Irving soon afterwards and although Rose had chances to increase their lead, they couldn’t do so.

“We started the game really well and my goal after only five minutes looked to have settled us,” continued Weir. “Then for Batchy to head another only a couple of minutes later had us set up for a comfortable win, but then we lost our way a wee bit. They got their goal and they took a lot from that, but we never looked like losing. We should have punished them because we were passing the ball well.”

After the early flurry of goals, Rose dominated proceedings. Threave keeper Jake Gemmell proved that being a youth doesn’t take anything away from ability as he pulled off a string of fine stops to keep the Dumfriesshire team in it.

The large Linlithgow support were looking for their side to come out for the second half and overrun the hosts, but it wasn’t to be. Play became bogged down in midfield, with only the occasional pop at goal from distance. Threave were more than holding their own and although a young side, they had a very dangerous striker in Irving. He had a great chance to take the tie to a replay when he was played in behind the Linlithgow defence, but Rose keeper Richie Barnard came flying out to make a terrific block and clear the danger.

Rose managed David McGlynn admitted that his side didn’t put in a vintage performance, but said the result was all that mattered.

“No one needs to tell me how we played, I know it wasn’t great,” said McGlynn. “However, we came her to win the game and get into the first round of the Scottish and that’s what we did. Too many of the squad had an off day and although we kicked off with a couple of great goals we were slack at the back and their goal gave them a lift. They made it hard for us, but it was a poor performance from us.”

Rose now go into today’s first-round draw (2.30pm) hoping to rekindle a run like last year’s, when they made the last 16 before bowing out to Ross County in Dingwall.

Threave: Gemmell, Gray, Jamieson, Patterson, Wilby, Blain, Couper, Goodwin, Irving, A Barnes, Liddell. Subs: C Barnes, Tait, D Milligan, McHurtrie, Graham, S Milligan.

Linlithgow: Barnard, R Donaldson, Hammill, B Donaldson, Thom, Beaumont, Shirra, Batchelor, Weir, Coyne, Kelbie. Subs: Kelly, McAllister, McNair, Myles, Hill.