Richard Lavery: Kettering boss targeting FA Cup upset against Northampton Town

Gary Hooper scored twice in the Scottish Cup final as Celtic beat Hibernian 3-0 in 2013 and also has Premier League experience with Norwich City.

Now 36, he played in the league for Barnet last season and will look to score his first FA Cup goals since 2008-09, when he scored twice against both Walsall and Alfreton in wins for Scunthorpe United.

The Poppies team also includes Nile Ranger, once of top-flight Newcastle, and a player who has been in goalscoring form since joining the Poppies last month.

Lavery said: “They were both class. Gary Hooper came on for his first minutes the other day and scored a great goal. Nile scored five in eight, or six in eight, something like that.

“They are great to have around and their experience in the dressing room will be huge because they have both been there and got the T-shirt and the young lads will help as well.”

In an interview last year with The Athletic, externalSaid Ranger: “I should be at least Championship now. I shouldn’t have any problems, but I didn’t listen. If I add nutrition to my game and behavior, I’m Haaland.”

And it is that inner conviction that underlies his return to action with Kettering.

“Coming back is a big statement from me. I want to show others, and myself, that I can still make it,” he told BBC Look East before Kettering won the final qualifying round against Farsley Celtic.

“People say this is not my level. But the atmosphere is good and we get good crowd. I’m 33 – I feel like I’m 56 – but I’m beating them. I still think it’s possible (for me ) to make it to the Football League (again).”