Luthermuir’s Record Goalscorer Still Excited About Scottish Cup After 20 Years
Report by Andy McLaren
Luthermuir’s record goalscorer Murdoch Anderson is hoping to create more happy memories when his hometown team welcome Ayshire’s Kilbirnie in the 5th round of the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup on Saturday.
The Kincardine side are the only amateur team left in the cup after clinching a 1-0 win over Inverleith from Edinburgh last Saturday.
Strike ace Anderson made his debut for Luthermuir in 1993 when he was 16-years-old.
With 532 goals to his name, Murdoch has been the club’s top goalscorer for the last 16 seasons but admits he is delighted with his new role as a defender for the club.
Murdoch said: “We have had a couple of guys suspended so I was delighted to help out by playing in defence.
“Getting to play in matches is the main thing and I am really enjoying the new role.
“By playing at the back, I get to shout at our attackers if they miss a chance, rather than the shouting being aimed at me.
“I am not sharp enough to play as a striker all the time so in some ways, it’s a relief to play at the back.
“I have only scored 4 goals this season but it’s great to see the younger players leading the line and bringing success to the club.”
The 36-year-old’s record-breaking season came when he hit 58 goals to help secure the Division One (North) title and he also won the league’s player of the year award.
Murdoch, who now coaches Brechin City’s under-10s, was part of Luthermuir’s most successful Scottish Cup run when they reached the 6th round in 1998, losing to Bo’ness.
But the Luthermuir ace has turned to his nephew and Dundee United’s youngest-ever player, John Souttar, for tips on how to keep out Kilbirnie this weekend.
“It was a very proud moment for me to see John playing for Dundee United against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in January,” said Murdoch.
“There have been a few jokes with the lads from Luthermuir who have said I will have to start watching more of John if I want to develop as a defender.
“Coaching the children also takes a lot of my time, meaning I do not always make training.
“I would never see Luthermuir struggle so I would always play when asked, but I have said I will call it a day when the standard gets too high for me.
“We have around 18 players available for Saturday’s match and even at the age of 36, I am still as excited as ever to play a part in our successful Scottish Cup run.”
Luthermuir manager Alfred Robbie is confident his side can progress to the sixth round on Saturday for only the second time in their history.
Kilbirnie currently sit third in Ayshire’s First Division and Robbie reckons his players will face a stern test following a lack of winter match practice.
He said: “When we played Inverleith last Saturday, we were not as sharp as we normally are.
“The weather has made our pitch at Luthermuir unplayable for a few weeks and we have even struggled to find places to train during the week.
“Our promotion to the Premier Division last season has given the lads a lot of confidence to perform to the best of their ability.
“The squad always trains hard and it would be great for the village if we could reach the sixth round.
“It is great to be the only team in the North-East to still be in the Scottish Cup where home advantage will be vital, especially in the winter weather.”
