IT’S Scottish Cup weekend for four Borders teams this weekend.

Steven Noble’s Gala Fairydean Rovers welcome Highland League outfit Keith to Netherdale.

The match comes off the back of a four-game losing run for the Netherdale side.

However, Noble feels optimistic ahead of the match with two key defenders set to return.

He said: “It’s been frustrating for us, results have obviously been difficult recently. I do feel that the Scottish offers us a chance to start again.

“We’ve got some boys coming back from injury, which is a massive boost for us. Sean Guiney and Kieran Ainslie will be back, who are two big players for us.

“I’ve watched Keith, they’re in a similar situation to ourselves in the sense they’ve had a poor run of form.

“They’re a big physical team, and they’ll be desperate to get their season up and running against us.

“The Scottish Cup is a very prestigious competition, you see that with the money up for the grabs and the excitement that comes with playing some of the league clubs.

“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to, and the boys will be more than up for it.”

Ian Fergus’ rejuvenated Selkirk side square off against Gretna at Yarrow Park.

Whilst Fergus’ team have enjoyed a revival in their Lowland League fortunes this season, they crashed out of the South Challenge Cup 4-0 to Kelty Hearts last Saturday.

Fergus admits his team toiled that day, but believes that the Scottish Cup can see Selkirk get back on track.

He said: “The Kelty match was deeply frustrating, we were deservedly beaten by a better team on the day.

“We won’t beat ourselves up about it, and we’re only focusing on the Gretna game.

“I’m expecting a very tough game, Davie Irons has done a great job in turning that team around.

“It’s a hard tie, but a home draw is a big advantage.

“We have a few players missing, but we can’t kid ourselves; we’ve got a good team even with a few missing. We can’t use that as an excuse.”

Hawick manager Craig Tully returns to former pastures as his team head for Devronvale.

Tully, who spent much of his playing career at nearby Peterhead, believes his team can cause a shock.

He said: "We are getting better and have added a few new players to the squad.

"Nobody expects us to do anything but I'm happy with the way we are shaping up and we can go there and get a result."

Chris Anderson’s Vale of Leithen make the trip to Spartans on Friday evening for a 7:45 kick-off at Ainslie Park.

An ever-growing injury list has seen the Innerleithen club’s numbers decimated, with Anderson forced to field himself in last week’s 10-0 win over Tweedmouth Rangers in the South Challenge Cup.

Euan Saunderson, Steven Lynch, Jay Stevens, James Elliot and Craig McBride have all been ruled out ahead of the big box-office clash.

It’s a situation that Anderson is relaxed about, but he admits that Vale will be massive underdogs when they arrive in the capital on Friday night.

He said: “Obviously, we’re up against it what with so many of our boys ruled out. Spartans are a quality side and we have to be at the top of our game when we go to Ainslie Park.

“It’s never good when I have to play myself! We’ll be the underdogs for this one, no question about it, it’ll be a case where we have to go out and compete. You have to give 100 per cent.

“The Scottish Cup means a lot, for myself, it’s a great competition that I love playing in. For the club, there’s a lot of money at stake- it all adds to playing in the Scottish.”