DEAN KEATES accepts that Wrexham have reached a stage of the Scottish Challenge Cup where the Reds’ interest levels have risen.

Keates captained Wrexham to their last meaningful piece of silverware, the Reds beating Grimsby on penalties to lift the FA Trophy in 2013.

And the 41-year-old feels that the Scottish Challenge Cup has similarities to the FA Trophy, and with Wrexham now in the quarter-finals against Rangers Colts, he’s thinking about lifting the trophy.

“As you start arriving around the quarter-final, as we did when we arrived at Wembley in the FA Trophy, you get interested,” said Keates, who will be without injured duo JJ Hooper and James Horsfield this afternoon

“You are not far from a final and it’s at the point where you are in it and you want to try and win it.”