Shotts boss John McKeown says there will be a sense of friendly rivalry when his side visit Wishaw for a pre-season clash on Saturday.
McKeown was boss at Wishaw, still gets on well with committee members and is a pal of their boss Mark Daly, who he signed before leaving for Cumnock.
He says the clash is a chance to give more of his squad a run-out after beating Thorniewood United 3-2 on Saturday, and says he will run the rule over some potential signings.
McKeown said: “At this time of the season it’s more about fitness, blowing away the cobwebs and getting the boys moving again!
“I managed there, I have a good relationship with the club and get on well with Mark Daly so we play them most pre-seasons now.
“I had a good time at Wishaw, I was quite successful, got on well with the committee, and signed Mark Daly as a player just before I left for Cumnock, so I keep in touch quite a lot with him.”
Saturday’s win was Shotts’ first game in over a year after they decided against participating in last season’s inaugural West of Scotland League campaign over Covid concerns.
And McKeown admits it was a relief to get back out there - and in front of supporters.
He said: “We did well at the weekend, so we’ll mix it up again and give other boys a chance this weekend.
“It was good, we won 3-2, and it was just a relief to get the boys back to things and everybody seemed to enjoy it. It was a decent crowd, and just really good to be back playing. It was great.”
Shotts also have games lined up with Whitburn, Fauldhouse, Cambuslang Rangers, Blantyre Vics and EK Thistle.
McKeown added: “We’ve got loads of games coming up. I had a couple of players that I ran the eye over last week and it will be the same on Saturday.
“We’re hopefully signing a player this week, which would be good for us, too.”
Shotts and Wishaw clash at Dalziel Park on Saturday, kick-off 1pm.
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