Scottish Cup: Barry Russell's East Kilbride keen to make more history

East Kilbride captain Barry Russell believes their "team spirit" can help propel the Lowland League side into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

Kilby play Lothian Thistle in the fourth round on Saturday having already knocked out Stenhousemuir.

"It's the biggest game since the club's been here and the full town is talking about it," Russell told BBC Scotland.

"I'm glad we've got our name out now because people never knew who we were, but now they're asking about the game."

East Kilbride were formed in 2010 and are already further than they have ever been before in the competition.

Jack Smith, son of former Dunfermline Athletic and Airdrieonians striker Andy Smith, scored the two goals that shocked League One Stenny, and Russell is confident they have the momentum to deal with East of Scotland League side Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.

"Now we're just starting to get a good team spirit and that's a big thing in the changing room," said the centre-back.

"We need to come out the traps the same way we did against Stenhousemuir and then we won't have much to worry about.

"I don't want to start reading up on them and their results. I never did that with Stenny, so I'm not changing my game-plan.

"It will be a very proud moment. Everyone's family will be up.

"The owners have been trying to do this for years. I've bought into it and like the sound of starting down low and try to get up the Scottish leagues.

"The same with Sean Winter; we're East Kilbride boys as well, so it's a massive thing."

East Kilbride's dressing-room was full of joy after the victory over Stenhousemuir

Another huge factor Russell can benefit from is the experience of coming away undefeated from a Scottish Cup match against Rangers with Albion Rovers in the 2013-14 season.

It ended 1-1, although the Coatbridge club went on to lose the replay.

"I went to Ibrox with Albion Rovers when we had quite a lot of experienced players there who helped you through it," added the plumbing and heating engineer.

"So I'm just taking what they said and bringing it here and we'll keep believing.

"That's what we did at Albion Rovers and it paid off for us."