Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke expects to face a buoyant Forfar in their William Hill Scottish Cup clash at Rugby Park on Saturday.

The Loons travel to Ayrshire for the fourth-round tie on the back of three straight wins which has taken them into fourth place in League One.

Killie were also in good form before the winter break, with one defeat in nine, and they sit in third in the Ladbrokes Premiership as this year they celebrate the 150th anniversary of their formation.

However, Clarke is preparing for a tough test in their first challenge of the year.

The former West Brom boss said: "If you were a Forfar fan or connected to Forfar you would be disappointed if they didn't think they would come here and cause an upset.

"We have to be on our guard, we have to be ready for Forfar to raise their game.

"They have been playing well recently. They will play even better on Saturday so we have to make sure we are ready for that, and I'm sure we will be

"It will be a difficult game. It will be a big occasion for them.

"They will make it as difficult as possible for us, we will be ready for that challenge.

"It is a home tie against a lower league opposition so we have to give them full respect.

"If we could have a cup run it would be great for the club especially in the club's anniversary year.

"But experience in football tells me if you look too far ahead in any competition it tends to trip you up.

"So we tend to focus on the game on Saturday, and if we are in the hat for the next round after Saturday's match then we will be happy."