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 last season’s competition for Barnet and will be looking to score his first FA Cup goals since 2008-09, when he scored twice against Walsall and Alfreton in wins for Scunthorpe United.

The Poppies squad also features former Newcastle premiership player Nile Ranger, and a player who has been in good goalscoring form since joining the Poppies last month.

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

“It’s great to have them around and their experience will be huge in the dressing room because they were both there and got the shirt and they will help the youngsters too.”

In an interview last year with The Athletic, externalRanger said: “It should be the minimum championship right 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 belief that underlies his return to action with Kettering.

“Coming back is a big statement for me. I want to show others, and myself, that I can still do it,” he told BBC Look East ahead of Kettering’s latest qualifying round win over Farsley Celtic.

“People say this is not my level. But the atmosphere is good and we have a good crowd. I’m 33 years old, I feel like I’m 56, but I’m knocking them down. I still think it’s possible (for me) to get there. to the Football League (again).”