FRIENDSHIP will be put aside for 90 minutes when Irvine Meadow take on hosts Kello Rovers in the Macron Scottish Junior Cup fifth round on Saturday.

Meadow defender James Latta will be up against one of his best friends, Kello Rovers boss Scott “Paddy” Clelland.

They are planning a night out after the match for Latta’s birthday - he turns 35 this Friday and their moods later will depend how the game goes.

Latta said: “I’ve been friendly with Scott for a long time as we are both from Auchinleck and there will no doubt be some texts flying out between us in the run-up to the match. The plan is to go out for my birthday after the match and I think it’s a case of the drinks being on the loser.”

Of the game, the veteran, who won the Scottish Junior Cup five times with Auchinleck Talbot, said:

“We should be going down there expecting to win the match.

“But it’s tough playing on their park at this time of year and the pitch will be a leveller.

“But I would say this is a good opportunity for us to reach the quarter-finals. We have a good squad and we work well together.”

Clelland added: “I know James really well and we’re good friends.

“I’m not sure he will fancy going out if Meadow lose”

“The focus is on the game.

“This is the furthest we have gone in the Scottish Cup for 40 years.

“Meadow are two leagues above us but we will give it a go.”

Irvine Meadow manager Brian McGinty was disappointed to see his side lose 1-0 at Cumnock.

But he believes they can do better.

He said: “It was a disappointing result.

“I feel we didn’t create enough in the final third and we can play better.”

But he added: “We have a good squad and I know that if we play well enough then we can win the match.

“If we fall below the standards set then we will for we will be out.

“The next game is always the biggest of the season and this is a competition we are looking to win but we take the games one at a time.”