FORMER Aberdeen player Kevin Milne will take charge of Hawick Royal Albert for the first time tommorow, when they face Lothian Thistle in the Qualifying Cup.

The former Stirling Albion and Forfar star watched on from the stands as the Royalists were beaten 5-2 by Civil Service Strollers on Saturday.

And Milne, who has most recently been in charge of Hibernian Ladies, agreed a deal at Albert Park following the match.

Club Secretary Dougie Purves told the Border Telegraph: “We have had a good response following the appointment and Kevin seems like the ideal candidate to take the club forward. 

“Kevin is well connected and the game and both he and his assistant are working towards their UEFA A coaching licences.

“We are delighted to have them on board.”

Kick-off at Albert Park tomorrow is at 7.45pm.

And on Saturday Hawick will face Spartans in the league.

In the Lowland League, Gala Fairydean Rovers are busy preparing for another tough away day at East Stirlingshire on Saturday.

Gala were denied a point, when Rory MacEwan snatched a late goal for Stirling University on Saturday, but boss Steven Noble is hoping to have a few first-team regulars back for the trip to Ochilview.

He told us: “It will be a really tough game against East Stirling but hopefully we’ll have one or two players back, which will make a difference.

“We have nothing to lose. 

“We want to finish as high as we can in the league and we will take each game as it comes.

“It will be a difficult game because they’re desperately trying to get as many points as they can to challenge East Kilbride for the title, but we have shown that we can compete with the top teams on our day. 

“So hopefully if we put in another good performance, the result will take care of itself.”

Selkirk will be without stars Unpha Koroma and Phil Addison when they travel to Peffermill to face Edinburgh University.

The pair were dismissed during 2-1 victory over Cumbernauld at the weekend, but are hoping to bring in two new faces this week - one from Lithuania who has been playing in Ireland.

Although Selkirk are now six points clear of bottom side Preston Athletic, the Souters still need another couple of wins to make sure of safety.

Gaffer Ian Fergus said: “It is difficult enough in this league, without having two key players missing. 

“Every game is important to us as we need to pick up points and get well away from the bottom.

“We have two players lined up to sign this week - a striker and a midfield player - and hopefully we’ll have clearance ahead of Saturday.”

Vale of Leithen will be boosted by the return of striker Keith McLeod who comes back in following a red card against the Fairydean Rovers. But they are still without crocked captain James Elliot.

Vale ended a baron run of seven games without a win by beating bottom side Preston on Saturday.

They travel to the Broadwood Stadium this week to take on Cumbernauld Colts.

Manager Chris Anderson added: “It was important to get the win last week, our first in eight games. 

“We can go up to Cumbernauld with confidence and we’re looking forward to playing on a 3G pitch.

All of Saturday’s Lowland league matches kick-off at 3pm.