DAVID GREIG will celebrate only 11 days in charge of Irvine Meadow when he leads his new players through to take on the might of Linlithgow Rose in the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday.

The Prestonfield head-to-head as a daunting task for the very first game of what he hopes will be a long tenure.

However, the former Blantyre Vics and St Roch's gaffer admits to relishing the pressure of trying to rescue the famous old Ayrshire club’s season.

Medda may be regarded as strong relegation candidates, sitting rank bottom of the Super Premier Division fully seven points adrift of relative safety.

But an enthusiastic Greggy believes there is plenty of cause for optimism and he is convinced East Region big guns Rose will be facing a wounded animal in the eagerly awaited fourth-round clash.

He said: “In the short time I've been here, the insight I’ve had into what Irvine Meadow possesses in terms of players and supporters base has blown me away.

“The ability of the players individually and collectively is awesome while their application and professionalism in adjusting to changes made at the club has been nothing short of terrific and I take my hat off to them in that respect.

“We’re looking forward to the cup tie with every single player coming across as desperate to be in our starting X1 against Linlithgow and if I was to just pick the guys who have caught the eye in our training sessions up to now then I’d have 17 names on my teamsheet.

“The only exceptions are our player coach Kevin Rutkiewicz on account of being cup tied with Blantyre Vics and Chris Hall, who is unfortunately ruled out with a debilitating groin injury.

“His absence is a blow and I’m disappointed not to have him available given Chrissy is someone whose qualities I’ve always rated highly ever since he first came onto the Junior scene with Ashfield.

“Thankfully, everyone else is fit and raring to go as well as motivated by wanting to prove wrong all those people who have written them off."

Greig could be forgiven for thinking the last-32 clash is a distraction to his side’s battle to avoid the drop.

However, he firmly believes Medda should be considered potential winners of the Holy Grail.

He added: "The character and ability within our dressing room is such that nobody can seriously rule out our chances of going all the way.

“ Yes, there’s a corner to be turned in terms of results, but I can see a win over Linlithgow acting as the perfect launchpad for us going on a winning run and I get the strong feeling our supporters share those thoughts and are backing the team to the hilt.

“Last weekend scores of them turned out to work at clearing the snow of Meadow Park to try and prevent our game against Glenafton being postponed and their sterling efforts gave me a strong inkling of what Irvine Meadow means to them.

“Many of them hung around to watch myself and our backroom team put the players through their paces with a few training drills and afterwards we met up for a chat and you could sense they think we can turn Linlithgow over, so who am I to disagree?”

Greig had one of his trusted lieutenants run the rule over Linlithgow Rose during their memorable 3-3 Scottish Cup draw with Forfar Athletic last Saturday and is well aware he and his Medda troops are up against a formidable Cup opponent

He said: “I have the greatest admiration for the way in which Linlithgow have been magnificent ambassadors for the Junior game in the big Scottish and I sincerely hope they go on to win their replay next Tuesday night.

“But I couldn’t care less if we were to dent their confidence by dishing out a bloody nose on Saturday because l my focus is on nothing other than trying to help Medda into the last 16.

“Everyone tells me that we are in for a tough time going through there but take my word for it. Well, the same applies to Linlithgow.”

Among other West Region clubs heading out on the road are Pollok, strongly fancied to get the better of Fife minnows Kennoway Star Hearts even though Tony McInally’s selection hand is affected by suspensions ruling out towering central defender Chris Walker and striker Alan McKenzie.

Beith are likewise favourites to overcome Scone Thistle and the Mighty demonstrated their scoring prowess ahead of their trip up to Perthshire with a 5-0 friendly win against St Anthony's this week in which bustling frontman Daniel Mackay staked a claim for a forward line jersey in notching a hat trick to go along with counters from Paul Frize and Andy Reid.

Petershill will need to roll up the sleeves to survive going up against former trophy winners Hill O’Beath however Willie Patterson’s men have shown a defensive steel and a counter-attacking ability on their Cup travels this season which might be enough to tilt the balance in their favour.

Arguably landed with the toughest prospect on their plate are Central First Division leading lights Renfrew in facing reigning East Region champions Kelty Hearts in their own backyard and one cannot help but feel Alan Kinney & Co will be up against it.