STEWART MAXWELL says he will not hesitate to mix and match his Rob Roy side if he feels it is necessary to keep their bandwagon rolling along.

People in the game are waiting for the Kirkintilloch outfit’s magnificent start to the season - 10 wins in 10 competitive starts - to end in tears but Rabs boss Maxi has scoffed at the prophets of doom and lavished praise on the spirit and togetherness of his playing squad ahead of Sunday’s head-to-head with Shettleston in the Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Final.

And this regard for the contribution he believes is likely to be needed from all his playing charges, including that of latest addition, striker Amadou Kassarate, signed on a loan deal from Dumbarton last night, has led to Maxi arranging a friendly match against Cumbernauld United tonight (just four days before the potentially historic Somervell Park clash).

He said: “Hopefully the game being played on the wide open spaces at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium will prevent things getting too exuberant because the plan is to give everyone at least 45 minutes and allow Amadou to make his debut in the process.

“He’s a strong and very quick forward type, capable of playing through the centre or out wide and he brings something different to the table so we’ve high hopes of him making an impact.

“The team has been on a winning streak and the temptation is to leave well alone but we have a number of players who are hungry for game time and the opportunity to show what they can offer .

“Giving these guys the lion’s share of the action is a no-brainer, however our so-called regulars haven’t played competitively for two weeks so it’s important they keep themselves ticking over and in a state of readiness for the Shettleston game.

“Tonight's workout is vital as we only have a light Saturday morning training session before meeting up at Somervell Park.”

Rob Roy not having a holiday weekend fixture enabled Maxi and No.2 Gordon Moffat to run the rule over Shettleston in their 1-0 Super First Division victory over Clydebank and he came away impressed by their organisation and attacking qualities.

He said: “I’ve had several reports on them from other managers but it was good to get a first-hand sighting of what they are about.

“A draw was probably the right result on the day but you have to applaud the determined way in which Shettleston defended an early1-0 lead earned by a Peter Weatherson goal.

“It’s easy to see why he’s their top scorer as he uses his experience to great effect in leading their forward line, but the entire Shettleston line-up is packed with experience and I cannot see nerves affecting any of their players.

“Two teams whose strengths are in the forward going areas has all the makings of a cup final spectacle and I think there will be plenty of goals in the game.”

Maxi has revealed there will be one enforced change to his winning line-up with outstanding goalkeeping prospect Jordan Brown replacing seasoned No.1 Michael McKinven who has dropped out because of a pre-arranged holiday.

His sympathetic gaffer added: “Michael has been in superb form and is desperately unlucky that the cup final date has coincided with his holiday break but it should be pointed out he only got into the team after Jordan picked up an injury.

“Now comes the chance for Jordan, a top-notch keeper in his own right to lay down his marker … in a Cup Final to boot … and if he plays to his abilities then he will take some shifting.”

“It’s fantastic for us to have two top goalkeepers vying for the gloves and the competition can only be good for the team.”

Maxi won the Sectional League Cup as a player with Cambuslang Rangers (v Shotts Bon Accord in 2000) and with Petershill (v Shotts in 2011) but reckons a victory for Rob Roy on Sunday would put those past victories firmly in the shade.

He revealed: “To win my first cup prize as a manager and give the people at Rob Roy a reward for their backing of me would be a dream come true particularly if our players produce their best qualities on the day.

“What I find absolutely incredulous is that this great club has not won a cup final for all of 43 years and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to put that sorry statistic to bed once and for all.

“Reports reckon the town of Kirkintilloch is mobilising for the final and it’s looking like the team will be very well supported on the day so hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.”