A NEAR-550-MILE round-trip will be the reward for Musselburgh Athletic if they win their first ever Scottish Cup tie.

Each of East Lothian’s debuting clubs – Haddington Athletic, Musselburgh Athletic and Tranent Juniors – will begin their first ever Scottish Cup journeys on the road, with Preston Athletic at home.

Haddington Athletic face a difficult trip to BSC Glasgow, of the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL), while Tranent Juniors make the short trip to Edinburgh University, and Preston Athletic host Hawick Royal Albert United.

The draw for Scotland’s top cup competition was made on Tuesday afternoon, with Kevin McDonald’s Musselburgh Athletic drawn in the first preliminary round away to Penicuik Athletic – the other county clubs received a bye to the second preliminary round.

Victory for Musselburgh would then see them then make the long journey north to Wick Academy of the Highland League.

McDonald, who scored for Airdrie against Queen’s Park in the competition in 2007, said: “It is massive for the town.

“It is disappointing not to get supporters in [due to Covid restrictions] but it is a massive, massive thing for the club, who have worked so hard to even get in the draw.

“We owe them that in respect they have worked so hard off the pitch.

“Penicuik had a taste last season and will want more of it.

“It is the Scottish Cup and it is going to be a special day – it would be nice if the BBC could show the game.”

Tranent Juniors face SLFL opposition in an Edinburgh University side who currently sit second bottom of the league.

Foresters Park boss Calum Elliot, who scored for Hearts against Aberdeen in the competition in 2006 as the Jambos were en route to lifting the trophy, stressed the significance of the encounter.

He said: “It is a huge game for the club. Every game is huge when you are at a club like Tranent.

“You want to win games but being the first game that they will have played in the Scottish Cup, it does have the little bit extra importance to it.”

Joe Hamill, player/manager of Haddington Athletic, described the draw with BSC Glasgow, who last year defeated East Fife before going down to Hibernian, as “tough”.

He said: “It is a tough one but it is our first time in the Scottish Cup and I don’t care who we are playing.

“It is going to be exciting. It is tough but no matter who we are going to play, we will be buzzing.”

Hamill scored in the Scottish Cup for Livingston against Hamilton Academical more than a decade ago.

He stressed that his team, who play in the East of Scotland Football League (EOSFL) First Division Conference A, two tiers below their opponents, would go and enjoy the occasion.

He said: “It is going to be very, very tough but I think we play good football and create chances.

“We are also going to need a bit of luck on the day but we will go and enjoy it because maybe for some players they might not get another chance to play in the Scottish Cup.”

Preston Athletic were edged out 2-1 by Linlithgow Rose in the preliminary first round last season.

However, they will fancy their chances against a Borders side, who sit below them in the EOSFL First Division Conference B.

Jack Lynch felt that his side had a real chance of making it through and was glad of a home draw.

He said: “You go into the first round proper and everybody is looking at the draw and waiting to see what clubs are in there.

“It is really good with the cup, it’s a great distraction from the league.

“There is always something magical, whether it is as a supporter or player, with the Scottish Cup.”