Macclesfield are looking to rewrite the history books once again.

The Silkmen's FA Cup journey continues on Monday, February 16, as they welcome Premier League outfit Brentford to the Leasing.com Stadium.

Speaking to the media ahead of the fourth round tie, manager John Rooney said there's no reason his side can't replicate the performance they put in against Crystal Palace.

He said: "We're massive underdogs, there's no question about that.

"We entered the Crystal Palace game thinking it would take a miracle but on the day the lads were outstanding.

"You see games between lower league clubs and Premier League sides. It's always a snatch and grab but ours was far from that. I thought we were fully deserved winners.

"I'm sure there will be a lot more eyes on us, expecting an upset. That's testament to the club, to the players, to the staff who have done everything to make the day possible.

"So yeah, we're still massive underdogs but at the end of the day its 11 v 11 with one ball and anything could happen."

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Macclesfield welcome Brentford to the Leasing.com Stadium in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup (Credit: Nub News)

Macclesfield's Emirates FA Cup story began all the way back in September, when they beat Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3-0 in the second qualifying round.

Since then, they have overcome Nantwich Town, Stamford AFC, AFC Totton, Slough Town and, of course, Crystal Palace.

"I'd be lying if I said I thought we'd be here in the fourth round but it's football and stuff like this happens," said Rooney.

"For me, in my first job and first couple of months in management, to take this special club into the fourth round of the FA Cup, it means a lot to me.

"But I'll say it again, you couldn't do it without them players crossing that white line."

Macclesfield's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace made headlines not just in the UK, but across the world.

Asked how he and the squad have dealt with the media attention, Rooney said: "Really well to be honest.

"It was a concern of mine, when we did win, how do we keep them level headed and focused on league games?

"There has been a lot of media attention around myself and the players but the lads have taken it in their stride.

"They've been incredible, I couldn't be any more proud of the players."

One man who is no stranger to the spotlight is defender Luke Matheson.

In 2019, at the age of just 16, Matheson scored the equaliser for Rochdale in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the EFL Cup.

Reflecting on that game, he said: "That that was one of the best experiences of my life. "I just look back at it so fondly and so grateful that I got the opportunity to even be involved in a game like that at that age. Let alone to go on and and do what I did.

"I remember I was on the bus on the way to school the next morning with me mates refreshing Instagram and it was 1,000 likes here, 1,000 likes there. It was one of the most surreal things I've ever been through.

"But I was a kid then and I've now got a little bit more experience within within the footballing system.

"I've been around different clubs, different experiences, different managers, different changing rooms and I think we're lucky enough in our changing room that individuals bring experience from all over the country. They add different things."

On how he and his teammates have prepared for the upcoming challenge against Brentford, Matheson added: "As the gaffer says, the next game is always the most important one. That just happens to be Brentford now.

"This group here is probably the closest team of players I've ever been involved with in my career. As cliche as it sounds, it's like a family.

"Seeing this stadium packed out, as a player, that's what you dream of. You wanna be in front of your fans, in a sold out arena, cheering you on like a genuine 12th man.

"We can't wait to get back out there in front of everyone."