THE newest manager on the Junior block leads his troops into battle for the first time today and he says he is excited about the challenge ahead of him.

No real surprise there when one realises that Largs Thistle hosting the visit of Wishaw in a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup first round clash provides the backdrop for legendary midfield battler Stuart “Arnie” Davidson’s managerial debut.

The former Auchinleck Talbot ace was unveiled last Saturday night as the Ayrshire side’s new gaffer new in the wake of his close friend and erstwhile Theesel boss Bryan Slavin tendering his resignation following a 3-1 reverse against Troon that left Largs rooted to the bottom of the Super Premier Division table after six straight defeats in their opening six games.

And the 37-year-old’s appreciation of the worth of a reliable assistant boss (a post he filled for a total of five years at Largs and Kilbirnie Ladeside) persuaded him to move quickly and appoint veteran Largs striker Kevin Struthers as his No.2 on Thursday night.

Asked what persuaded him to take up the hotseat role in light of Largs Thistle’s seemingly stricken plight brought Davidson to say: “This is a fantastic football club with a decent squad of players and I firmly believe all that’s needed is for our luck to take a turn for the better.

“We have played really well in a lot of games only for key decisions or breaks of the ball to go against us so it’s a good time to be taking over if like me you think these Largs players can compete against any team in the Super Premier.

“Not for one moment am I going to pretend there are not things we need to improve because Kevin and I are both aware of the hard work lying in front of us, however it is most appealing to think the foundations are in place to build on.

“Already things are looking up with the imminent return from long-term injury of Jamie McDonald and Gary Fleming whose competitive qualities were a key factor behind Largs winning promotion last season.

“It’s a massive boost to have them both in line to face a Wishaw side whose players are relatively unknown to me other than the very quick frontman Ryan Smillie whom I worked with at Kilbirnie.

“Ryan’s top drawer on his day and I’m willing to bet he’s not alone seeing as Wishaw have shown themselves to be nobody’s pushovers by knocking Cumnock out of the Scottish Junior Cup so you can take it as read that my players will not be underestimating them in the slightest.”

Davidson went on to confirm the intention for Struthers to operate in a dual player/assistant manager capacity.

He insisted: “It would be like cutting our nose off to spite our face if Kevin had solely a backroom team role in our new set-up.

“He’s our team captain and is looked up to and respected by the guys but crucially he still has something to offer on the playing side which I hope can work in our favour.

“He’s an intelligent type who will almost inevitably move into coaching or management at some stage in his career so I believe it’s only right for Largs and myself to benefit from him starting the process here at Barrfields.”

The prospects of a cup shock just along the coast at Ravenscraig Stadium appear remote at best on the back of a Greenock form slump that has Stevie Mooney’s men with only one victory to their name (a 3-1 defeat of Forth Wanderers) in five outings ahead of facing Super Premier big guns Troon.

Ayrshire team boss Gordon Burns had his Central First Division opponents watched in going down to a 5-2 defeat by Benburb last weekend yet he refuses to consider the first round tie a formality.

He insisted: “There is no such thing as an easy cup game away from home and we found that out to our cost when losing 1-0 at Haddington Athletic in the Scottish Cup only last month.

“Memories of that loss will hopefully give a jag to our players and help them cope with a team motivated by the chance of taking a big-name scalp and are likely to raise their game as a result .

“That’s why the form book often goes out the window in cup ties and we have to roll up our sleeves to battle our corner and be wary as Ravenscraig’s playing surface is not conducive to our preferred free-flowing passing type of football.”

Burns, who has installed former Auchinleck and Ayr United stopper Mark “Sparky” Campbell onto his Portland Park backroom team is resigned to the absence of four key players.

He revealed: “Dale Keenan hasn’t featured since injuring his knee in a pre-season contest and is still weeks away from a return while young Ross McRae broke his leg against Arthurlie and will not be back playing until next year.

“Ross Roberson’s damaged ankle ligaments continue to keep him sidelined and now Martin Ure has a knee problem so I think it’s fair to say we’ve not had our troubles to seek even though the guys have done well in recent weeks.

“A full strength Troon are a force to be reckoned with and the key is to stay in contention for the big prizes until then.”

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup first round: Bellshill Athletic v Petershill, Johnstone Burgh v Royal Albert, Rob Roy v East Kilbride Thistle, Thorniewood Utd v Yoker Athletic, Vale of Clyde v Darvel, Rutherglen Glencairn v Irvine Meadow, Kilwinning Rangers v Arthurlie, Largs Thistle v Wishaw, Maybole v Girvan, Dunipace v Lanark Utd, Vale of Leven v Annbank Utd, Whitletts Vics v St Anthony's, St Roch's v Muirkirk, Cumnock v Clydebank, Newmains Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Saltcoats Vics v Shotts Bon Accord, Greenock v Troon, Lugar Boswell v Maryhill, Port Glasgow v Neilston, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Forth Wanderers, Irvine Vics v Rossvale, Benburb v Glasgow Perthshire, Gartcairn v Cumbernauld Utd, Glenafton v Carluke Rovers, Dalry Thistle v Pollok, Kello Rovers v Blantyre Vics, Cambuslang Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot, Beith v Ardeer Thistle, Kilsyth Rangers v Renfrew, Lesmahagow v Craigmark, Ashfield v Larkhall Thistle Shettleston v Hurlford Utd.