The start of a new Scottish Cup campaign continues to excite James McPake and the Dunfermline boss hopes it can "give them a wee bonus" in confidence.

A trip to the capital to play League Two Edinburgh City lies in wait this Saturday for the Pars in the third round of the competition as they bid to bounce back from their weekend league defeat at Ayr United.

Athletic, having endured a journey lasting more than five hours due to adverse travel conditions caused by Storm Bert, went down to Jay Henderson's second half goal at Somerset Park, leaving them second bottom of the Championship table.

That loss came after wins over Alloa Athletic, in the SPFL Trust Trophy, and Airdrieonians, in the league, and McPake is keen to start a run in the Scottish Cup when they go to Meadowbank Stadium.

Dunfermline Press:

"No matter where you're sitting in your league, or what level, I think all clubs will share this, from the Premiership all the way down to the Lowland League, that, when it comes to the Scottish Cup, it's an exciting weekend for everybody in Scottish football," he said.

"I've been on record saying this before, that there's always excitement around the Scottish Cup, whether you're flying high in your league at whatever level, or you're not in great form, when the cup comes around, it's always a good week."

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"I always do feel there's a wee change when it's Scottish Cup weekend, just in terms of, and I don't mean the players try any harder, but it's just the excitement behind the Scottish Cup.

"I know they get it in England, and I've experienced that in the FA Cup, that's similar as well, albeit I was a player (with Coventry City) at the time, not a manager, but I just think those two cup competitions are special for the two countries, and it's always a good weekend.

"I just think any time, you're always desperate to win your next game, and when you've got a chance to progress in a cup, it gives you that wee bonus, or you're hoping that it gives you that wee bonus, in terms of confidence if you do manage to get through.

"Again, it's not something I'm saying differently from before, but we do just take every game as it's coming up.

"This is an important one because it's our next one and it's got an added importance, the fact it's the Scottish Cup."

Progression to round four would mean joining clubs from the Premiership in the draw and, whilst there are plenty of incentives for Dunfermline to make sure they're involved, McPake insists they won't take their opponents lightly.

The Citizens are fifth in League Two, a point outside the play-offs, and the Pars boss continued: "At any time, any cup competition as well, you know you're going into a game and you're desperate to be in the hat the next day.

"They'll be the very same - they'll be looking to get through, and it's just a game we need to go in and perform at our levels.

"If we do that, we'll be in the hat for the next round.

"You think if we just get in the hat for the time the draw comes round, and see who we get, but, again, it's the same as a player first and foremost, you just take care of the tie that's upcoming, and obviously that's Edinburgh City on Saturday for us."