KILWINNING Rangers boss Chris Strain has urged his players not to get caught up in the emotion of playing in a derby against Irvine Meadow as the two sides prepare to clash at Meadow Park this Saturday.

The Buffs go into the game off the back of a 3-1 win over Hurlford United which saw them climb above Meadow in the Premier Division and into third although the Irvine side still have a game in hand.

Strain told the Herald: “I was very pleased with the result and it was a good performance against Hurlford. The boys thoroughly deserved the win.”

Attention now turns to this weekend’s derby but Strain will be without duo Ally McColm and David Anderson who suffered injuries in the 3-1 victory over Hurlford.

Strain said: “This game is very important for the fans and without them it will be strange.

“In my eyes it’s no different to the match before as it’s still three points up for grabs but of course we understand the importance of the game.

“For the players it’s important to remain factual and not get carried away with the emotion of the game.

“Both Ally and David will miss out this weekend which is disappointing, but this will present people with other opportunities.

“We will need to be careful with the squad this week which is not ideal going into a derby as you want to approach it with a lot of intensity, but we will have to be cautious with the boys."