Beith boss Johnny Millar appeared totally at ease yesterday as he looked forward to his side’s Scottish Cup tilt with Morton this coming Saturday.

The eagerly-awaited visit of the current third best Scottish Championship outfit to Bellsdale has raised excitement levels among Mighty fans ever since the third-round draw was made.

However, Millar refused to pander to the masses yesterday when insisting his players - including Cappielow aces Mark McLaughlin and Kenny McLean - will need to adopt a more cautious approach than normal.

He is only too aware that Beith and of course East Region big guns Bonnyrigg Rose, who go up against Dumbarton, are flying the flag for grassroots football.

And he desperately wants the Ayrshiremen to give a good account of themselves even though he describes Jim Duffy’s men as “formidable opponents”.

The former Glenafton and Arthurlie winger said: "Everyone knows that any team can beat another in a one-off cup tie.

However, I firmly believe it would be an absolutely stunning result if we were still in the cup around 4pm on Saturday.

“Morton have an abundance of real quality in their ranks which boast the highly rated forward Aidan Nesbitt on loan from Celtic and for good measure they also have the ex- Rangers midfielder Andy Murdoch who has dropped down a division after being freed by Rangers as well as speedy winger Caolan McAleer who is well known to our players and supporters following decent playing spells with Arthurlie and Kilbirnie Ladeside.

“And a further indication of the massive task facing us comes from a look at their defence which is superbly marshalled by the former Dundee United centre-back Gavin Gunning.

“But while highly respectful of the Morton big names,we are not in the least bit scared about the prospect of going toe-to-toe with them.

"And nobody in our dressing room is suffering from an inferiority complex even if we are toying with the idea of abandoning our normal playing shape in favour of caution and going with a lone striker in the early stages. ”

The reigning Scottish Junior Cup holders' preparations have been anything but straightforward ahead of their tilt with the feted Senior side as an unruffled Millar revealed yesterday.

He said: "Nikky Docherty has not played for a couple of weeks with a damaged knee ligaments injury and he has no chance of taking part in the game ”It’s a blow for us as well as to Nikky as he’s been playing outstandingly well for most of the season and had earned his crack at an hour and a half in the spotlight. “Yet another non-starter is Tommy Martin whose growing disenchantment at not holding down a regular jersey led to him tabling a transfer request this week and we as a club have declared a willingness to listen to offers rather than continue with a clearly unhappy player around th camp. . “There has been no fall-out as such between us and he appreciates the fact Jamie Wilson’s current form means he simply cannot be left out of the team.

"But Tommy says a place on the substitutes bench is no good to him at his age and wants away. ”He was a near ever present last season, but picked up an injury in the Junior Cup Final, which allowed Jamie to grab his chance with both hands.

"But no amount of persuasion can get Tommy to think the same lucky break might happen to him.” Beith’s hopes of a shock upset would be boosted if Morton’s players were in any way complacent.

However, Ton gaffer Duffy, a former Maryhill signing, has a healthy respect for the Juniors and is urging his side to ready themselves for a “tricky tie.” One-time Clydebank signing Martin’s availability might be of interest to Super First Division leading lights Shettleston following their release of midfield battler Jordan Dalziel and a failed attempt to land Queens Park flank ace Josh Watt whose former Junior club Cumnock are looking a good bet to get him on a season long loan deal. Yet another surprise signing swoop has seen Arthurlie fix up their former wing ace Eddie McTernan after he was placed on Kilbirnie Ladeside’s open to transfer list at his own request earlier this week.