WINNING promotion has always been Alan McCrum’s aim for him and his Lanark United team-mates this season and he thinks it can be achieved with an ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup scalp or two along the way.

And the opportunity presents itself tomorrow to set down a marker for those twin ambitions with his Yowes side preparing to host the visit of Rossvale in a third-round clash given added intrigue through the prospect of the Central Second Division frontrunners locking horns with opponents currently topping the First Division standings.

The flamboyant McCrum undoubtedly possesses the ability and temperament to inspire those around him and he is urging his team-mates to have nothing to fear in going up against the higher league outfit.

He insisted: “Remaining unbeaten in eight league games to date shows what this Lanark team can do and we’re more than capable of producing a performance to get ourselves into the next round.

“Yes it will be tough as Rossvale are themselves enjoying a decent winning run but it’s only last season since they were sitting where we are and I don’t believe there will be much to choose between the teams come the final whistle.

“The league remains our number one priority but I want to win every game and will be giving my all tomorrow … if selected of course?”

Home supporters will be boosted by word emanating from the Moor Park dressing room that McCrum has declared himself fit and ready for the ETHX Energy Cup encounter after he was notably posted missing when John Brogan’s men lost 3-2 to Kilsyth Rangers last weekend and were bundled out of the New Coin Holdings Cup.

The quiet spoken Brogey admitted: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb by being slow out of the blocks and were 2-0 down inside the opening ten minutes and 3-0 down by the halfway mark.

“Credit to the guys for fighting their way back into the game and we might have given Kilsyth an even bigger fright but for double yellow card offences leaving us with just nine men over the closing stages.

“We know Rossvale had people watching the game but what they will have learned from watching us minus McCrum remains to be seen because he is a special talent when on his game.

“It’s not through any lack of respect that we didn’t reciprocate and run the rule over Rossvale as much as my own personal belief that the result will come down to what we do on the day.

“We are aware of their attacking strengths and they are clearly a decent side looking at their league position but let’s not forget we can play a bit ourselves.”

Rossvale gaffer Martin Lauchalan is unlikely to underestimate the lower league opponents after his No.2 Carlo Girasoli reported back from his “spying” mission.

Locky revealed: “Training this week has been all about preparing the guys for a tough 90 minutes and we fully expect things to be very tight.

“Lanark are looking like champions elect even at this early stage of the season and their players are oozing confidence as a result of winning games.

“They possess several top notch individuals in Bryan Caldwell, Ryan Hutchison, Stuart Mitchell and of course McCrum who most Second Division managers regard as the player who makes Lanark tick.

” We will not delegate anyone with the responsibility of specifically man-marking him but the guys will be warned to close down his space whenever Lanark are coming forward.”

He added: “We have quality in our ranks as well with Yami Misango looking more like his old self and it’s encouraging that Fraser Team and Alex Cassells are both fully recovered from injury knocks and in contention for jerseys.

“Every bit as important as out attacking threats is the need to be strong defensively going away to places like Lanark and in this respect we will look to Rhys Donaldson and Craig McGregor to continue their excellent form.”

Rossvale were 2-0 winners over Pumpherston in the last round and Locky owns up to having dreams of the Bishopbriggs based club enjoying a memorable Cup run.

He said ,”Last season we were knocked out in the Fourth Round when Musselburgh Athletic came out on top by a 5-3 scoreline .

“Little did we know at the time that Mussy would go all the way to the final and lose out 2-1 to Auchinleck Talbot so it’s a massive compliment for their manager to say Rossvale gave them their toughest test of all, the teams they met prior to the final itself.

“I think our playing squad is stronger and better prepared to go on another run this time out … but first and foremost we have to try and get past Lanark.”

The only other surviving Second Division side, Royal Albert, have an even more formidable hurdle to overcome in facing Super Premier Division table-toppers Pollok and several added degrees of difficulty have come from the lowly Lanarkshire side yielding up home advantage and switching the tie to Newlandsfield.