HAWICK Royal Albert will carry the hopes of the Borders on their shoulders when they head north on Friday for the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Dean Shanks’ team face Elgin City at Borough Briggs the following day with a place in the fourth round awaiting the winner.

Shanks knows his team will be massive underdogs. He told us: “It will be a great occasion for everyone associated with the club.

“It has been at the back of our minds ever since the win at Berwick Rangers. Our form has been a bit up and down since the Berwick game and I’m hoping we’ll get it right at Elgin.

“They play some lovely stuff – you saw what they did to Gala in the last round – but we have earned the right to be there and we’ll enjoy our day.”

Hawick take a fully fit squad north.

And hopes are high that the competition's top scorer, Josh Morris, can add to his seven goal tally from the first two rounds.

Dean added: "Josh will cause problems for any defence.

"You saw at Berwick how he takes his chances - I'd love to see him score a few more on Saturday."

Selkirk gaffer Garry O’Connor believes the return of striker Gary McCormack will herald a change in his team’s fortunes over the festive period.

The 28-year-old, who was part of Gretna’s team that reached the Scottish Cup final a decade ago, was badly injured during Selkirk’s 4-0 win over BSC Glasgow on October 1.

Selkirk haven’t won a game since.

Despite initial fears that the knee injury could end McCormack’s career, he resumed light training last week – and could make a return to the squad before the end of the month.

O’Connor said: “It’s no secret – we’ve missed Gary’s presence up front.

“He trained last week and is eager to get back. He will have to be careful but he will be kicking a ball again over the next week or two and hopefully we’ll see him return to the team fairly soon.”

O’Connor takes his struggling team to Saughton Enclosure this evening for a Football Nation Cup second round clash with Lothian Thistle.

While it is understood former Hibs player Jay Wilson has left the club following a post-match bust-up on Saturday, the arrival of former Stoke City player Unpha Koroma and teenage fullback Mark Docharty has boosted the Selkirk squad.

Koroma spent several seasons at The Potters in the reserves and has plied his trade in non-league English football over the past two seasons.

The 23-year-old British Virgin Islands midfielder impressed on his debut against Gretna.

O’Connor added: “I thought he was terrific.

“He picked up an early booking which maybe affected how he played but I still thought he was excellent for us – he was strong and eager to get forward.”

Following tonight’s cup clash in the capital, Selkirk head for Ochilview to face East Stirlingshire in the Lowland League.