John McKeown knows his Shotts side will be underdogs when they host Lowland League Albion Rovers in the South Challenge Cup third round on Saturday – but that means they can play with freedom.
And McKeown hopes a large crowd packs into Hannah Park to see them up against their Coatbridge neighbours.
He said: “It’s a tough game and a local derby against Albion Rovers, who are from a league above, and I’m really looking forward to that tie.
“We will be underdogs, but I think we will be most weeks this season, if I’m being honest.
“In terms of infrastructure, budgets and stuff we are underdogs in the West of Scotland Premier league no matter who we play, and this is another level up.
“Albion Rovers have a good manager in Sandy Clark and it’s going to be a real test for our boys, but it’s one that we can enjoy, and hopefully we get a good crowd, with it being a derby as well.
“If we won that one it would be massive, but we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be very difficult against a good team with a good backing.
“But we go into that with a wee bit of freedom.”
Striker Taylor Evans answered his gaffer in style by bagging all of their goals in a 4-1 West of Scotland Cup first round win at Glenafton on Saturday.
McKeown said: “Taylor had a great game. He got a bit of criticism from us last week because he missed so many chances against St Cadoc’s, but on Saturday he answered us the right way by scoring four. There’s only one way you can answer your manager, isn’t there!”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onX via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.