Carluke Rovers boss Mark Weir hopes to see off’ Ayrshire cracks Kilbirnie Ladeside in cup once again

Rovers this week landed Ladeside in the The Soccer Shop Challenge Cup first round, with the tie to be played on Saturday, October 24, kick-off 1.30pm.

The match will come 20 months after Rovers prevailed 5-4 on penalty kicks – following a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes – at Ladeside in a fourth round West of Scotland Cup clash.

Weir, who scored Rovers’ first spot kick in that encounter, told the Carluke and Lanark Gazette: “First and foremost it’s a home tie and it’s a winnable tie, that’s all you can be happy with at the moment.

“There’s nothing to fear with us being at home.

“We beat them on penalties the last time so there’s no reason why we can’t beat them again.

“My memories of that last game are that it could have gone either way. They had chances, we had chances.

“They were a decent side then.

“I scored the first penalty in the shootout, we beat them and I’m definitely hoping that’s a good omen for playing them this time.

“Obviously we have a full new team but I’m assuming they’ll be the same.

“We have just as good a side now as we had back then.”

If Rovers do see off Kilbirnie, they will be away to Whitehill Welfare in the second round.

“That will obviously be an even trickier tie,” Weir added.

“But one stage at a time.

“Training has been going great with good tempo. The guys are basically raring and ready to go for this Saturday, when we’ll play our first pre-season friendly (at Fauldhouse, KO 2pm).”

All three other Clydesdale sides in The Soccer Shop Challenge Cup received byes into the second round (date unconfirmed).

Lesmahagow Juniors are at home to Port Glasgow, Lanark United host Ashfield and Forth Wanderers are at home to Threave Rovers or Ormiston.

Meanwhile, Carluke Rovers on Monday night completed the one-year signing of utility man Johnny Wilson.

Rovers boss Weir said: “I played with Johnny a few years ago. He played a few games with us late last season but he couldn’t commit due to work commitments but now things have changed.

“I’m glad that I’ve been able to get him on board full-time now. I’m delighted. He can play in a number of positions.”