KENNY Gillies joined his brother, Ricky, in moving to a new club this week when he joined East Fife yesterday in time to take his place against Scottish Cup holders Kilmarnock in the Coca-Cola Cup.
Ironically, too, the man who has signed Gillies, freed by Clyde in the summer, and who will be hoping he can inspire an upset today, is Methil manager Jimmy Bone, who had released the player when the two were at St Mirren. Bone said: ''It is a coincidence that, at the time his brother Ricky is going to Aberdeen, Kenny is also on the move.
''I was involved in coaching and bringing on both lads and I am delighted to see Ricky getting his chance.'' Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson will parade one of his pre-season signings, Frenchman Jerome Veraille, but his other big, pre-season signing, Cameroon internationalist Jean Claude Pagal, will not be playing because of a back injury.
With all the hype that comes with expected takeovers, trying to prepare for a Coca-Cola Cup tie is not that easy. Just ask Morton's director of football Allan McGraw, or new Clydebank player-coach Ian McCall.
The Greenock side face a tough match against cup experts Airdrie, while Bankies also cross the Clyde to take on St Mirren at Love Street. Morton's Peter Cormack will miss the match through injury, and new signing John Morrow may just be given a place on the bench due to an ankle knock.
Airdrie will be missing the experience of the suspended Kenny Black, Jimmy Sandison, and Paul Jack, while Gary MacKay, injured in training, also looks likely to be absent. However, John Davies and Forbes Johnston have recovered much quicker than first thought from close-season operations and came through 45 minutes of a midweek match.
Despite a good start in the league, Dundee manager John McCormack is not taking the visit of East Stirlingshire lightly and his spy was impressed by the third division side's organisation as they lost to Ross County. Raith Rovers, who have Paul Harvey out injured and Scott Thomson doubtful, also will be odds-on when they face Forfar at Stark's Park.
An upset would seem a little more likely at Dingwall, where a large crowd will cheer on Ross County against Scottish Cup finalists Falkirk, but County's top scorer, Derek Adams, and winger Billy Ferries are both ruled out, as is Tom Callaghan, while Stuart Golabek will require a fitness check. Falkirk have Chris McCart and Brian Hamilton both doubtful. However, Kevin McAllister is likely to be back in action and their new signing from Partick, David Moss, is likely to play.
Stirling Albion's biggest problem so far has been manpower - or the lack of it. Albion manger Kevin Drinkell has top striker Steve McCormick still on a contractual dispute with the club and was down to 14 players last week, including the rapid signing of a local amateur player, Gregor McKechnie. He has John Gibson back and may have 15 for today's visit to Firhill to face Partick.
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