Scottish Cup preview: Latapy to make debut for Edinburgh City

All eyes will be on Russell Latapy at Meadowbank Stadium as the former Rangers and Hibs midfielder comes out of retirement at the age of 43 to turn out for Edinburgh City against Irvine Meadow, while Seniors v Juniors rivalry will come to the fore in ties such as Culter v Spartans and Bo’ness United v Whitehill Welfare.

Alloa Athletic v Annan Athletic

Alloa include goalkeeper Scott Bain and defender Mark Docherty after suspension to leave Recreation Park manager Paul Hartley with a selection problem of the right kind as he has a full squad to choose from. Annan welcome back defender Aaron Muirhead after his broken hand and striker Sean O’Connor after a knee injury to face Alloa for the fourth time in six months.

Auchinleck Talbot v Threave

Auchinleck will check on defender Craig Pettigrew’s fitness after the former Ayr United man made his comeback after a lengthy period out of the game. Threave will look to goalscorer Andrew Donley to fire them through against the Ayrshire Junior giants and, with 23 strikes already this season, the frontman needs to be watched carefully.

Bo’ness v Whitehill Welfare

Bo’ness will give fitness tests to Stewart Devine, who has a groin problem, ankle injury sufferer Stuart Hunter and John Stewart who is nursing a sore foot ahead of kick off. Whitehill have a full squad to choose from and, despite winning their last six games and scoring a total of 23 goals, manager Rob Paget believes his side are underdogs. He said: “Bo’ness are a really strong side packed with Senior experience and I reckon that makes them favourites.”

Clachnacuddin v Inverurie Loco Works

Clachnacuddin have injury doubts over six players. The two Neil MacDonalds at the club are struggling to make it, as is Ian Penwright, Martin Dey, Scott Davidson and Gordon Morrison. Inverurie have a full squad as Jamie Michie’s suspension has been restricted to league business only.

Culter v Spartans

North Region Junior Champions Culter are in the middle of a purple patch just now, with six wins in a row, including the 4-0 demolition of Burntisland Shipyard in the last round. The star of the show was Lewis McKimmie, son of former Scottish Cup winner Stuart McKimmie, of Aberdeen. Spartans welcome back Ali MacKinnon for their trip north, but Kerr Dodds and Donal Henretty are injury doubts. Scott Fusco is expected to be available after illness.

Co-manager Mikey Lawson said: “I hope Culter spied on us in our win over Lothian Thistle last weekend as, despite the result, we were poor and they will have picked up the wrong impression. We simply have to do better or we will be out of the Cup which would be a real shame as Scottish Cup Saturdays are special days.”

Deveronvale v Berwick

Deveronvale defender Scott Hendry returns after suspension, while Gordon Carstairs and Martin Skinner are fit again. The Borderers set off for Banff last night and were treating their players to an overnight stay in Aberdeen as the same approach paid dividends last season. Jimmy Crease will have Darren Gribben available after suspension, with youngster Ross Gray joining on loan from Livingston in time to feature.

Edinburgh City v Irvine Meadow

The crowd at Meadowbank is likely to be increased with fans popping in to see Russell Latapy making his debut for Edinburgh City at the age of 43 against the Junior giants. Co-manager Dougie Jardine said, “Russell is doing this for the love of the game.” Irvine Meadow have brought in former Hearts youngster Dennis McLaughlin to their ranks, along with veteran Paddy Flannery to make up for former Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers striker Emilio Jaconelli hanging up his boots through injury.

Fraserburgh v Elgin City

Fraserburgh welcome back Roy Noble after suspension and include new signing Mark Cowie. Manager Kris Hunter will have to lift his men following a 5-1 defeat from his previous club Turriff United last weekend.

Gala Fairydean v Golspie Sutherland

Grant Gass, Aaron Brunton and Craig Livingstone are all back in contention for Gala after proving their fitness for the game at Albert Park, Hawick. After receiving a bye in the first round, Golspie make the 520-mile round trip without Jordan Sutherland, who is banned.

Huntly v Queens Park

Huntly have recently signed Polish striker Andrzey-Slawomir Kleckowski. Queen’s Park welcome back Ricky Little after suspension, but winger David Murray is a doubt with flu and work commitments have ruled out back-up goalkeeper Adam Strain.

Montrose v Clyde

Montrose miss Stephen McNally through a suspension picked up in the competition last season, but central defender Jonathan Smart returns. Clyde have a doubt over full back Gavin Brown, who has a groin strain.

Peterhead v Nairn County

Peterhead will be missing Alan Rattray, Roy McBain and Aaron Conway, but Jamie Redman and Graeme Sharp are available. Nairn County’s star striker Connor Gethins is struggling with a groin injury.

Vale of Leithen v Cove

Vale of Leithen, who have won their last ten games in a row, welcome back Andy Martin from suspension with Paul Lee, Steve Radzynski, Paul Greenhill and Ryan McKenzie expected to return to their starting line-up. On-loan Cowdenbeath youngster John Ferguson will also feature for Robbie Horn’s side.

Cove warmed up for this one with a friendly against Peterhead in midweek and came through it unscathed to have a full squad available for the trip south, with the exception of striker Phil Reid, who recently announced his retirement from the game.

Wick Academy v Keith

Wick Academy will be without the banned Michael Steven for the match against Highland League rivals Keith. The Maroons could face a shortage of defenders with Derek Nicholl, Johnny Watt and Neil Robertson struggling and Stuart Walker banned.

Wigtown & Bladnoch v Stranraer

Wigtown will need to improve on a 3-1 defeat against Dalbeattie Star in their last game if they want to knock out their senior neighbours. Stranraer are waiting on news of defender David McGregor’s thigh injury as manager Keith Knox returns to the club where he started his managerial career.

East Stirlingshire v Buckie Thistle (Sunday)

East Stirling have ruled out injured striker Jordyn Sheerin for their second meeting with Buckie in a year with Stenhousemuir not allowing on-loan striker Stuart Love to play limiting head coach John Coughlin’s options further.