Gala Fairydean Rovers in action tonight at Netherdale

Manager Martin Scott was left frustrated at the postponement of last Friday night’s fixture against Rangers B at Dumbarton.

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But he is looking on the bright side and hoping that the extended break will have allowed some of his injured players more time to improve on their fitness ahead of a busy festive spell.

The players enjoyed their Christmas night out in Belfast last Saturday but they were back on the training pitch this week.

And Scott is hoping that the fans turn out in their numbers to cheer the team on.

He said: “I was hoping that the Rangers game would go ahead but given the weather conditions, I think they made the correct decision and cancelled the game early rather than waiting to nearer the kick off when fans could be setting off.

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“But at least it gives us a chance to get some fitness into the legs of some of the injured players.

“Spartans are a top team and will be challenging for the title and promotion. Dougie (Samuels) is an experienced manager and I always think that they go under the radar a bit but we are under no illusions about how difficult it will be.

“They beat us 4-1 at Ainslie Park in August but I thought we played well and were in the game up until the closing stages.

“Hopefully home advantage will tell as our home form has been good, even in the games we didn’t win. It will give us a chance to demonstrate a true reflection on how much we have improved since then.

“Hopefully there will be a good crowd. The attendances have been improving and the fans have seen some entertaining games with lots of goals.”

After that it is a Borders derby when Fairydean Rovers take on Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park on Hogmanay.

“I thought we were unlucky to lose 2-0 to Berwick the last time we played the them,” said Scott. “For 45 minutes we totally dominated them but we didn’t have Zander (Murray) available and that told in the end.

“But Berwick are a big team with a huge support and have quality players like Liam Buchanan who has scored for fun throughout his career as well as former Hibs trio Alex Harris, Callum Antell and Lewis Allan.

“But that’s a game we are really looking forward to and then we are back in action on the Tuesday night (January 3) so it’s a hectic spell.

“We have a great team spirit amongst the guys. They have great attitude and do whatever we ask them to do without complaint.

“Even when we go through a sticky spell, they work hard and show determination. And remember we have some good players in the squad.”