Forfar’s Gavin Swankie has endured a few sleepless nights in the build-up to Sunday’s clash with Rangers.
However, it isn’t the prospect of facing a side that is unbeaten in seven games, during which they have scored 28 goals and conceded just two, or the fact the game will be live on Sky that is keeping him awake.
It is new addition to the family, baby Kody, who is denying Swankie and wife Kirsty sleep, and he is keeping his fingers crossed his son will give him some respite before the big game.
He said: “It has certainly been a hectic few days. Kirsty went into labour last Saturday shortly after our game against East Fife.
“She didn’t give birth though until Sunday afternoon to a wee boy who we have called Kody. Thankfully, both of them are fine and they came home on Tuesday.
“Kody slept well the first night he was home, but he now seems to have got into a pattern where he is sleeping all day and then is up at night.
“Hopefully he will decide to let me get some sleep before the Rangers game.”
Swankie became a Forfar local hero at the start of last month when he scored two goals to dump Ally McCoist’s side out of the League Cup at Station Park.
Since then though, Rangers have gone on their unbeaten run and look to have now fully bedded in all of their big summer signings such as Jon Daly, Nicky Law and Cammy Bell.
The Glasgow side will start as overwhelming favourites.
However, Swankie, who was delighted to be named new Forfar captain by boss Dick Campbell last week, insists the Loons should not be discounted.
He said: “Rangers are a different proposition now with all their new signings and it goes without saying it will be a tough game.
“However, we have to take confidence from that last win against them at the end of the day it is just 11 against 11, and if we can take our chances, we could surprise people again.
“The boys have been buzzing this week, but it is always the same when you play one of the Old Firm. There is a lot of hype with the game being live on TV and the whole town seems excited by the prospect.
“So it really gets the boys going. There is nothing better than going out before kick-off to see a full stadium. It will be extra special for me leading the team out.
“The gaffer asked me before last week’s game if I fancied being captain. I had never done it before apart from when I was at boys’ clubs, but it was something I was keen to do.
“So it will be a big honour for me to do it again for the Rangers game.”
Swankie’s boss was an interested spectator as Rangers knocked Queen of the South out of the Ramsdens Cup in midweek.
Campbell is certain the Govan outfit will coast to the League One title this season however, he is equally sure they will not do so unbeaten, and he is hoping his side can be one of those sides causing an upset.
He said: “I have seen it all before with the press and media, but I am relaxed about the game. We beat them the last time and it wasn’t a fluke result.
“However, I watched them in the cup during the week at Queen of the South and they are a different team now.
“I have no doubt that Rangers will win the league, but I can’t see them going through the season undefeated.
“I named our team on Tuesday and I am certain we have the players who will give a good account of themselves.”
Forfar will be without the injured Martyn Fotheringham, Mark McCulloch, Keith Gibson and Derek Soutar.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ Lewis Macleod and Lee Wallace both face late fitness tests for the game.
Ian Black is still suspended, while Kyle Hutton, Ross Perry and Chris Hegarty remain out injured.