Even Rose Boss Sinnett Won't Pull Plug On Toilet Humour

Jan 13 2008 Scott Mcdermott

Junior Side Linlithgow Rose's Historic Run In The Scottish Cup Is The Stuff Of Legend. Mailsport's Scott Mcdermott Joined Them On Their Trip To Dumfries And Sends This Report ...

WE'RE 20 minutes from Palmerston when Jim Sinnett's phone rings. There's a sudden hush on the Linlithgow Rose team bus. He puts on his polite voice, choosing his words carefully.

It's a newspaper "reporter" calling to discuss his side's chances of causing a major Scottish Cup upset.

"Aye, it's unfortunate we're missing Greg Denham. He's a big player and it's a massive blow. What will we do if we win? Well, you probably won't see me for a week!"

At that point the entire squad bursts into an uncontrollable fit of laughter as joker Brian Carrigan emerges from the toilet at the back of the bus with mobile in hand.

The gaffer (below) has just been had and is the latest victim of Carrigan's endless wind-ups.

Skipper Danny Smith - who missed yesterday's tie with a broken leg - was on the receiving end minutes earlier at the Moffat House Hotel where we stopped for a pre-match lunch.

Sitting with his back to Carrigan he was oblivious to the mischievous striker stuffing his suit pockets with napkins and bread crusts.

It's incredible to think this all took place when most of these players were preparing for the biggest game of their careers.

Although when I met a few of the boys at 10am and the two kids in the squad - Gregg Burnett and Robbie Feeney - wanted their gaffer fined for being late I should have known this was a special club.

As I sat with Sinnett and no.2 Gordon Rae for a bite to eat it was clear they run a happy camp. You wouldn't mess with them but they're up for a laugh as much as their players.

Jim told me how Carrigan and partner in crime Gordon Herd once sneaked into his office at Prestonfield, cut his socks, filled his shoes with hair gel then covered his car in wet newspapers. He got his own back in training right enough.

But despite the hype surrounding this tie with Gordon Chisholm's side Linlithgow were unbelievably relaxed. And the reason is simple.

Every game they've played this season they were expected to win.

As Scottish Junior Cup champs they are under huge pressure to produce.

But this time? Nothing to lose.

Sinnett revealed he woke up yesterday morning feeling less nervous than before any game this term.

You also have to remember these guys work all week in full-time jobs and football is their release. Greig Logan is a postman, Scott Wilson works with Coca-Cola and Iain Gallacher is a teacher.

Who can blame them for enjoying themselves on a Saturday? And their philosophy has obviously worked as they continue to be a dominant force in the Juniors and have now stamped their authority at senior level too.

They have characters you rarely meet now at SPL or First Division level. Stand-in captain Mark Bradley took pelters on the way to Dumfries and must think "fat b****d" is actually his real name.

Mark Tyrell is a Chas and Dave diehard who was more occupied with when their UK tour starts than knocking Queens out of the cup.

Even physio Pedro Smith can't escape the banter and will probably never wear THAT suit again.

Then there's Herd - the only man crazier than Carrigan. A team-mate recalled a victory last season in Aberdeen when Herdy was in jovial mood on the bus down the road.

He decided to strip naked in the toilet, wrap his club tie around his head Rambo-style and run up and down the aisle starkers in front of the shocked committee members.

But despite the players' daft antics off the pitch they're deadly serious on it. Their trophy haul and run in this tournament at the first attempt proves that.

They only showed it in flashes yesterday as the better side won and the fairytale ended. But boy did they enjoy the experience.

You wouldn't bet against them going even further next year.