PEEBLES Rovers boss Ger Rossi insists his team’s pride has not been hit following last week’s Kelty Hearts match.

The Maroons arrived in Tweeddale having won every single league match this season, with Thomas Court’s men enjoying a 7-0 victory at Whitestone Park.

Rossi, who is photographed during Saturday's match, has made it clear to his players that the Kelty result won’t define their season, as they gear up for tomorrow’s match with Lothian Thistle.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News, he said: “I don’t think there’s any shame in going down to what was a very good Kelty side. I said before the game that it wouldn’t define our season.

“You never want to admit that you’re going into a particular match thinking it’s going to be a long day at the office, but in this instance we knew what we were up against.

“Kelty have got a huge budget and some very good players, and I think we’ll put this one down as an education for the lads.

“When you’re fighting against a hurricane it’s always going to be challenging.

“The guys were obviously hurting, but we dust ourselves down and move on to the Lothian game this Saturday. “

The Rovers return to Edinburgh tomorrow afternoon having played them last week in the first round of the League Cup.

Raymond Carr’s men triumphed 2-0 (match report on Page 37) at Saughton Enclosure, with Rovers putting up an admirable fight for most of the match.

But Rossi wants his team to do better. He continued: “We played them last week, so we have an idea of what we’re up against already. We’ll be asking the boys to be braver on the ball.

“It will help us having played them so recently, but Lothian are Lothian – they’ve hardly changed the way they play for the last few years.

“They’ve got quality all over the park and are doing the right things with the ball, which are key reasons why they won the league last year.

“From my perspective, it’ll be another tough game but we enjoy playing these big teams and really testing ourselves – again, it won’t define our season, but we have to go out and give our best.

“The good news is that we’ve got a full squad ahead of Saturday: nineteen in total. It’s going to be difficult to put eleven on the park, but everyone’s fit and raring to go.”

Meanwhile, Chris Anderson’s Vale of Leithen side face off against BSC Glasgow at Victoria Park tomorrow.

Vale have won their last two league games, against Gala Fairydean Rovers and Civil Service Strollers.

But the league leaders arrive in Innerleithen having lost just once this season in the Lowland League, whilst Vale languish in 13th on 12 points.

Kick-off at Victoria Park is 2pm.