Fomer Ranger Bob gives Martin lowdown
Martin Lauchlan revealed he has enlisted the help of former Rangers star Bob Malcolm to plot Cowdenbeath’s Scottish Cup downfall.
The Kilby boss has been friends with Malcolm since their days at youth level with Scotland and the ex-pro – now Barry Ferguson’s assistant at Clyde – has provided Lauchlan with a lowdown on the Blue Brazil.
Malcolm steered the Bully Wee to a 5-3 win over Cowdenbeath in August and has passed his notes on to East Kilbride ahead of Saturday’s tie at Central Park.
Lauchlan told the News: “Big Bob sent me a full report on them and there’s plenty we can take from that.
“He’s given me details on every single player and we know everything about them, so it was good of him to help us out.
“We were room-mates at Scotland under-18’s and old pals always help you out when you need it.
“I’ve still kept in contact with him and we’ve played against each other a few times over the years.
“It wasn’t a problem for him to give us a hand and we’re grateful for that.
“Clyde have beaten them this season, so hopefully we learn a thing or two.
“Cowdenbeath are playing a level above us and they’ll certainly be favourites to progress, but we’ll go there and see what we can do.”
Last season Kilby knocked out League One outfit Stenhousemuir on their way to the last 16, winning 2-1 after extratime in a third round replay.
And the Lowland League leaders will be dreaming of pulling off another Scottish Cup upset as they bid to add to their impressive 24-game winning streak in all competitions.
Lauchlan added: “It’s a big game for the club.
“They got a lot of press last year with the Celtic game, so the players will be up for it.
“I think it will be played like a cup final.
“Both teams will give everything to get through and we will go there with the right approach to try and win the game.
“But I’m sure Cowdenbeath will fancy their chances.
“We’ll get 100 per cent out of every player and see where it takes us.
“We’ve got a few injury issues, which doesn’t make for the best of preparations, but we will give everybody up to the very last minute before naming the team.” If Robbie Winters scores for East Kilbride on Saturday he will break his own record as the oldest Scottish Cup goalscorer. He set a new cup record when he scored in the last round against Vale of Leithen aged 41 years and 324 days. By Saturday he will be 41 years and 352 days old.