Stirling Albion v East Kilbride: Buoyant Binos will provide great test in SPFL Trust Trophy, says Kilby boss

East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy hopes to knock Stirling Albion out of the SPFL Trust Trophy tonight, having ousted Celtic ‘B’ earlier this month.

While Kennedy doesn’t expect to face a full-strength Binos side at Forthbank, with Darren Young’s side also hosting Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup last 16 on Friday evening, he anticipates a tough test.

But he joked that he has a good record against SPFL opposition, having knocked the Dons out of last season’s Scottish Cup while boss at Darvel.

Kennedy - whose side thrashed Gala Fairydean 6-1 in the Lowland League on Saturday, said: “It will be interesting to see what Stirling Albion do – we play them on the Tuesday and they’ve got Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup on Friday night, so I’m sure that will come into Darren’s thought process, in terms of the team they put out against us.

“I could be wrong, but I don’t think they will be at full strength – however, I’m sure they will still be a strong side, so it’s important that we go there fully prepared.

“Stirling will be absolutely flying after winning the league last season, they’ve had a great start to the Viaplay Cup [beating St Johnstone 4-0] and had a good result against Edinburgh City [a 1-0 win] to start the league.

“I’m sure they will be buoyant, so it will be a really difficult place to go.

"I think a team who wins a league and goes into the league above, you always start really buoyant.

"I think it's a bit like Dunfermline this season as well.

"Stirling have got a lot of belief and confidence and that's how they started the season.

"They kept the core of a good squad, added one or two, so I expect them to be challenging in League One this season.

"They will be a strong test for us but that's the kind of games I enjoy.

“I’m