EMOTIONAL Auchinleck Talbot boss Tommy Sloan is urging his team to win Friday night’s live TV William Hill Scottish Cup clash for grieving skipper Willie Lyle.

Talbot make the lengthy journey east to New Central Park to face Barry Ferguson’s Kelty Hearts in an eagerly anticipated First Round tie.

They go into the game on the back of a 1-1 home draw against Hurlford United.

Defender Lyle (pictured left) is mourning the recent loss of his mum but is expected to play.

The manager said: “It’s difficult to know what to say to someone in that situation but we are all here for Willie. We want to win it for him.

“I expect he will play on Friday. It’s going to be a difficult match as they are a good side, I have watched them. They have ambitions of ultimately going into the senior game., But hopefully we can progress.

“At least we took a point on Saturday.

Added the boss: “The first half was flat but we played much better after the break and had chances to win the game

“We missed a penalty as well. But we are still unbeaten.”

Striker Mark Shankland, who set up the equalising goal for Dwayne Hyslop is under no illusions about the task facing his side.

He said: “I felt we should have won against Hurlford, but our focus now is totally on the Kelty Hearts match.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be the most difficult test of the season as Kelty have a good manager in Barry Ferguson and a few ex-seniors in their ranks.

“We are going to have to be at our best on Friday night to have a chance of taking something from the game.

“But we will be going there aiming to win the game. It will be a great atmosphere with the TV cameras there too.”