NINETY minutes are all that separates two East Lothian footballers from lifting the Scottish League Cup.

Callum Booth and Jason Holt will line up on opposing teams at Hampden Park on Sunday when St Johnstone face Livingston.

Both men have lifted cups in Scotland before, with both having enjoyed victory in the Scottish League Challenge Cup.

Now, they are getting ready to go head to head for one of Scotland’s major trophies.

The two clubs have played each other three times this season, with the West Lothian outfit coming out on top twice.

However, it is Booth and St Johnstone who won the most recent meeting earlier this month.

Former Knox Academy pupil Booth said: “It is really evenly matched.

“I think, probably, if you look at it, you would probably say Livingston are the slight favourites.

“They are above us in the league, although we did end their 14-game unbeaten run. They have only lost two of their last 17 games and you look at that form and they are slight favourites but there is certainly not much in it.

“We are on a good run of form ourselves. The games between us have been close encounters and there has not been much in it.

“The first goal is going to be really important.”

Holt, who joined Livingston in August, echoed those comments and thought it would prove to be a tight game.

The former Pinkie St Peter’s Primary and Musselburgh Grammar School pupil spoke to the media during an online press conference on Tuesday afternoon. He said: “It’s hard to put a favourites tag on anyone, it’s two good sides.

“They’re on a good run and seem to be in a good place, we are just off the back of a good unbeaten run.

“So that should make for a really good final.”

Booth previously lifted the Scottish League Challenge Cup in 2014 when he was part of the Raith Rovers side who defeated Rangers at Easter Road.

The Haddington-based full-back told Courier Sport victory at the national stadium would eclipse that.

The 29-year-old said: “It would mean a lot to win the League Cup.

“I won the League Challenge Cup with Raith Rovers when there were not the teams from England and Ireland. That was a really good day and a day I will always remember.

“This cup is one of the two national cups and it would definitely be – if I play – the highlight of my career.”

Holt, of Musselburgh, has also lifted the Scottish League Challenge Cup, lining up for Rangers against Peterhead two years later, and tasted defeat in the Scottish Cup when Hibs won 3-2 against the Ibrox side in the same season.

He said: “I think you just need to embrace the occasion: take it all in but don’t let it pass you by. That is probably the biggest thing.

“You don’t usually get to play in a lot of finals as a player – maybe one if you are lucky, maybe two.

“You need to make sure you really embrace it and take it all in.”

Coincidentally, Booth previously played for Livingston while Holt spent last season at McDiarmid Park.

Booth said: “That is a little bit strange and he was at Hearts while I was at Hibs as well.

“He is one of my good mates and I have known him for a while.

“While he was with St Johnstone, we became even better friends.

“He has just moved back to Musselburgh recently and he is a great guy.

“I will get to see him more when the restrictions are lifted.”

Holt, 28, had many friends at his former club and had spoken to Booth shortly after the full-back was interviewed by Courier Sport.

He said: “I still keep in touch with a few of them and I’m sure a couple of texts will be exchanged this week. I enjoyed my time there, it’s a good club. I spoke to Callum, who said he’d mentioned me in an interview and I was to look out for it!

“So I think I’ll give him a wee mention back.”