Elgin City manager Gavin Price has challenged youngsters David Wilson and Moray Taylor to prove they can be first team players in League 2 this season.
A depleted squad has forced Price to feature both 18-year-olds prominently throughout Elgin’s Betfred Cup campaign, with defender Wilson starting all three games so far, while attacker Taylor was pitched in for the 2-0 defeat to Arbroath last Saturday.
Although Price has defender Darryl McHardy back from suspension and could have captain Jon-Paul McGovern back from injury for today’s final game against Dundee United, City are without suspended midfielder Rabin Omar and Ali Sutherland, who has a sickness bug.
Price says he will have no qualms about giving youth its chance against the Championship club, with both teams unable to qualify for the second round from Group A.
Price said: “Our squad will be tested to the full – we will be lucky to have 11 senior members of the squad available. But there is no pressure, there is nothing to lose in terms of the game.
“Some of our under-20s players have had their chance in the last few weeks and by and large they have done well.
“David made an error against Alloa on Tuesday he will be disappointed with but that aside he did really well against Arbroath in the previous game, while Moray has shown he can be a fixture in the squad.
“Both have shown potential they can play at that level, so I would like to think both will push hard to keep improving. It’s good to see both are willing to listen, which can sometimes be half the battle.”