Stirling Albion kick off the new season with a Betfred Cup Group D tie against Dundee at Forthbank on Saturday, kick-off 3.00pm.
We go into the game unbeaten in five pre-season friendlies, the most recent of which was a 2-2 draw with Raith Rovers in a closed-door game on Tuesday.
Team news: Full-back Jordan Allan is suspended after picking up two bookings for Elgin City in the gropDefender Darren Barr and last season’s top scorer Darren Smith are sidelined through injury and midfielder Willie Robertson this week left the club due to work commitments. On-loan keeper Calum Ferrie won’t be eligible to face his parent club.
Past meetings: We have a terrible record against Dundee and have only managed a total of three wins against the Dark Blues. The most recent of those was a 1-0 victory at Annfield in October 1978 when Stuart Heggie scored the only goal in a First Division match. The teams last met in a Scottish Cup tie in November 2011 when Dundee won 2-1 at Forthbank.
Opponents: Dundee finished ninth in the Premiership last season. Neil McCann has brought in five new players so far this summer – Elton Ngwatala (Kidderminster Harriers), Kharl Madianga (Lokomotiv GO), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), Nathan Ralph (Woking) and Jean Alassane Mendy (Sporting Lokeren). Dundee returned to Scotland this week after a training camp in Portugal.
Cup format: The eight group winners and four best runners-up will be joined in the last 16 by Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers and Hibernian.
Drawn games: A reminder that drawn games in the Betfred Cup group stage go straight to penalties, with the winners awarded a bonus point.
Trivia: Binos boss Dave Mackay began his career at Dens Park and played against Neil McCann in the 2003 Scottish Cup final. Albion general manager Andy Kennedy was at the club as a player when we last beat Dundee 40 years ago.
Referee: Gavin Ross
Admission: Adults £12, Seniors & Students £8, U16s £5 and U12s free!
Dundee fans will be housed in the East Stand.
Season tickets are not valid.
Weather: Looking like another decent day!
Club shop: Find us in the West Stand. Open before and after the game. New home shirts available.
Programme: Pick up a copy of our new-look programme, priced £2
Supporters Bar: Unfortunately the bar will not be open for this game.
Twitter: Match updates via @Stirling_Albion
Other Group D game: Brechin City v Peterhead
Next game: Stirling Albion v Brechin City – Tuesday July 17
