The Highland League champions get their Group B matches – and their 2022/23 season – underneath means after they host final time period’s Championship winners at Bellslea on Saturday.
Veteran West, 34, is a survivor from the Fraserburgh aspect who took on Rangers within the Scottish Cup in 2018 and – although he’s been within the Black and Whites first group for 19 years, racked up near 600 appearances and received all the things there’s to win in north soccer – even he ranks Killie because the second-most daunting opposition he’s confronted.
Willie West thinks Premier Sports activities Cup opponents Kilmarnock would be the “hardest” of many Broch gamers’ careers.
West stated: “It’s most likely the largest recreation a few of the gamers in our group will probably be concerned in.
“To place the Rangers recreation to 1 aspect, competitively it’s most likely the hardest recreation I’ll have ever confronted. I can’t consider enjoying anybody above League One to be sincere.
“We’ve clearly had pre-season friendlies and testimonials in opposition to Premiership golf equipment, however they’re at all times handled a little bit bit otherwise and normally they don’t have their full power.
“It will likely be fascinating to see how Kilmarnock deal with it – whether or not they put out their strongest group or whether or not they discipline fringe gamers or youthful gamers.
“To be sincere, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of I feel no matter line-up they put out goes to be match, they’re going to be robust, they’ll be good high quality gamers and it’s going to be actually tough.”
Regardless of the problem, Broch utility man West is wanting ahead to taking up the Ayrshire guests’ large names, and likewise seeing the Fraserburgh supporters end up en masse at a revamped Bellslea.
West stated: “I’m fairly to fulfill Derek McInnes and the large centre-half from Aberdeen, Ash Taylor, and (striker Kyle) Lafferty. It’s fairly large names and so they’re coming to the Bellslea.
“There’s been a variety of enhancements made and there’s been a variety of nice work behind the scenes – the brand new shelter and a few of the upgrades. After we performed in opposition to East Finish (in a pleasant) final week, it really offers it an excellent higher really feel.
“If it’s 1,800 followers on Saturday, the excitement will probably be even higher.”
Regardless of being within the twilight of his profession, West says he feels nice, regardless of solely having 5 weeks off after Fraserburgh’s title success and subsequent unsuccessful pyramid play-off bid.
The house aspect will probably be lacking different key gamers this weekend and boss Mark Cowie made clear when the draw for the League Cup was made they might be prioritising the Highland League opener in opposition to Deveronale on July 23.
