Swimmer Ross Murdoch gives Gala Fairydean Rovers a home tie

Scottish swimmer Ross Murdoch joined host Gordon Duncan to make the draw, fresh from his exploits in winning a hat-trick of bronze medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

60 teams were drawn into 30 ties that are set to take place on the weekend of Saturday September 17.

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Sides from the Scottish Highland League and Scottish Lowland League joined the victors from the Preliminary Round in the hat.

Gala Fairydean Rovers were drawn at home to Sauchie Juniors, Hawick Royal Albert will face Carnoustie Panmure if they beat Rothes and Berwick Rangers face a difficult away trip to Linlithgow Rose.

Gala Fairydean Rovers player/manager Martin Scott holds off Open Goal Broomhill's Simon Ferry

Speaking after the draw, Murdoch said: “I train at the University of Stirling so I hope they are happy enough that they’ve got a home tie so that gives them a bit of an edge and I’ll definitely have to go and watch it now.

“It’s second nature to be working with live TV now – although drawing 60 balls is a little bit different but it’s good fun!"

Murdoch was back at Hampden Park, the stadium which closed the 2014 Commonwealth Games and he reflected on the tournament where he burst onto the world stage by winning gold in the 200m breast stroke.

He said: "It brings back loads of memories from the closing ceremony in 2014. I remember all the tents being down and running out and getting the crowd going.

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“The highlight for me was during Kylie’s set – we did a lap of honour and had a full stand sitting down, then standing up and cheering so it’s something I’ll never forget. A proper goosebumps moment.

“I’m very patriotic – I’ve always loved the ‘Flower of Scotland’ since I was a wee boy, there’s something about it that gets you riled up.

“I remember so fondly from 2014 winning and hearing it and I was too busy crying to sing it myself so every time I've heard it since I’ve always belted it!”

The 28-year-old retired last year before reversing that decision and battling back to claim three medals for Team Scotland in Birmingham.

He added: "A few weeks have past since the Commonwealth Games and I’m in a bit of a transitional year at the moment. I’m taking a lot of time to reflect on what has been an absolutely surreal journey over the past ten years when I’ve been competing internationally and I just want to take my time to work out everything and see where this goes.

“It’s been an incredible journey and I’m really pleased with myself that it got topped off the way it did. It was a rough start to the year with a retirement and coming back off that is never easy but it’s been a incredible year and what a way to finish it."

Full First Round Draw

Banks O’Dee v Turriff United
Benburb v Dundonald Bluebell
Caledonian Braves v Newton Stewart
Carnoustie Panmure or Hawick Royal Albert v Rothes
Civil Service Strollers v Fraserburgh
Clydebank v Spartans
Cowdenbeath v Bo’ness United
Cumbernauld Colts v Dalbeattie Star
Darvel v Tynecastle
Deveronvale v East Kilbride
Dunbar United v Clachnacuddin
Dunipace v Broxburn Athletic
Formartine United v East Stirlingshire
Forres Mechanics v Glasgow University
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Sauchie Juniors
Gretna 2008 v Edinburgh University
Irvine Meadow XI or Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Inverurie Loco Works
Jeanfield Swifts v Brechin City
Keith v Cumnock Juniors
Linlithgow Rose v Berwick Rangers
Lossiemouth v Buckie Thistle
Musselburgh Athletic v Newtongrange Star
Nairn County v Drumchapel United
Open Goal Broomhill v Brora Rangers
Pollok v Huntly
Rutherglen Glencairn or Kilwinning Rangers v Tranent Juniors
Strathspey Thistle v Camelon Juniors
Syngenta v Auchinleck Talbot
University of Stirling v Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale
Wick Academy v Lochee United