The Ayrshire cracks have already made it into the history books after becoming the first Junior side to knock out Senior opposition with a third- round 1-0 victory over Arbroath.

But the Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth- round clash at Easter Road is arguably the biggest game in the famous old Junior club’s 112-year existence.

Veteran boss Strain has already drawn up his battle plan for the game against John ‘Yogi’ Hughes’ SPL outfit.

But he is well aware Medda are about to discover there’s a world of difference between lining up against Irn-Bru Second Division relegation strugglers and the third-best placed team in Scottish football.

He said: “We do not lack for Senior exper-ience in our squad, but it would be folly for us to go out and try to play the same way as Hibs.

“They are fitter, faster and better at passing the ball around, so our best hopes depend upon getting in their faces and making things difficult.

“If we do that and can keep things tight defensively, I believe we have the players up top who can cause them a few problems on the break.

“That said, we’re more focused on flying the flag for Junior football than daring to think we can get a result.

“Yet the very fact every-one is totally writing off our chances means we’re probably more relaxed going into this game than we would be playing a Junior Cup-tie.”

Sadly, Strain’s meticulous planning for the cup contest has been wrecked by the extreme winter weather that has resulted in Medda not kicking a ball competitively since late November.

And his team’s lack of match practice was laid bare in a closed-door friendly match against St Mirren on Monday, which was won 3-1 by the Senior outfit and watched by Hibees boss Hughes.

The Junior gaffer revealed: “St Mirren fielded six first-team players and the gulf in class was all too apparent early doors when we were a bit ragged and adjusting to actually playing football again.

“All told, though, it was a first-class workout and exactly what was needed to lick our lads into better shape for Saturday.

“I spoke with Yogi and he was very complimentary about the Juniors.”

Midfield playmaker Mark Crilly (back injury) and Gareth Turner, forced to come off early with a thigh muscle knock, are injury concerns for Strain.

However, he has assured supporters that top marksman Richie Barr is a definite starter and was omitted from the initial line-up against the Saints as a precaution.

“Richie is fit and I’m hopeful the other lads will shake off their knocks,” said the Medda boss, who admitted preparations for the Easter Road trip will be low-key.

He added: “We had initially thought of an overnight stay in Edinburgh, but it was not to everyone’s liking so the plan now is to meet up at Meadow Park around 11am and set off from there.

“It’s an early start, but needs must as the rules dictate we have to be at the stadium at a specific time and team lines have to be with the match referee at least one hour before kick- off.”