Yoker Athletic manager Gordon Robertson paid tribute to everyone at the club as his side made history by reaching the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday.

The Whe Ho’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen based outfit Dyce Juniors ensured Yoker are in the final four of the competition for the first time since 1936.

Scott Gallacher got the only goal of the afternoon after latching onto Ross McDonald’s pass midway through the second half.

Robertson’s troops had to withstand a barrage of high balls in the closing stages but put in a superb defensive performance to advance – and the Yoker boss admits he always had faith in his side as they set up a clash with Conference C rivals Petershill for a spot in the final.

Speaking exclusively to the Post, he said: “We played into the wind in the first half, and in the first few minutes they had five or six corners right on top of our goalkeeper in the six-yard box, but after we got through that I thought we were going to be fine.

“I felt pretty good at half-time, but I said to the players not to think it was job done because we had played into the wind and now it’s at our backs.

“In the second half we took control and scored a very good goal and I felt after that we were going to be fine.

“They threw everything at us and had four guys in attack in the closing stages of the game and launched it forward but every step of the way we dealt with it.

“If we didn’t win the first ball, we were winning the second ball. None of their guys were getting clean headers on things – we were very disciplined in our defending.

“Even though you do feel the tension in the closing stages I still trusted the guys.

“I thought we would have been okay as it would have taken something pretty special from them to get a goal because we were doing all the basic stuff right.

“The final whistle went and it was lovely. The supporters were thrilled and everyone at the club was delighted. The atmosphere in the dressing room after and on the bus going down the road was magic.

“It was just a joy to see the reaction from everybody, especially the folk who had travelled all the way up there to watch us.

“The support was lovely and I’d like to thank them for that.”

Yoker have two more league games to contend with before next month’s semi-final, and Robertson is keen to bring his players back down to earth.

The Holm Park side host East Kilbride Thistle on Saturday as they look to end the season on a high and the Whe Ho boss isn’t underestimating the importance of the game.

He explained: “We’re absolutely chuffed and delighted with what happened on Saturday but now we have to turn our attention to games that are just as important coming up that will determine what league we are in next season.

“The most important thing for us now is East Kilbride Thistle at home on Saturday.

“It’s a huge game and in a lot of ways it is bigger than Dyce.

“We have to park all the Scottish Cup excitement and just deal with getting three points on Saturday.”