GEORGE SHAW says he is hoping to prove the old adage correct that states what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

The renowned Senior ace was speaking in the aftermath of his shock “parting of the ways” from Cumbernauld United where he had been installed as team manager for an all too brief period of five months.

George, about to turn 48 in a couple of weeks, revealed how he was left stunned in midweek when a supposed informal chat with leading United official George Watson developed into a somewhat intense examination of his management of the Super First Division outfit since assuming the Guys Meadow post in September following the resignation of erstwhile gaffer John Queen.

United have picked up only two wins in their last 10 games and last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by minnows Luncarty in the Scottish Junior Cup brought an avalanche of criticism to bear down on him and assistant Craig Tully.

He revealed: “There’s no getting away from the fact Saturday was a horror outcome but nobody could have legislated for us conceding the goals we did or missing a penalty-kick at a crucial stage.

“I took training with the players and spoke with them about the need to get back in the groove against Yoker Athletic this week and I went into the meeting with George encouraged by having made strengthening moves by renegotiating loan deals for our two Airdrie loan players as well as fixing up a couple of signings from East Stirling.

“But I knew straightaway from the tone of our conversation that something was afoot and after some verbal sparring I asked him bluntly if he wanted to make managerial changes to which he replied yes.

“At that stage we shook hands and went our separate ways, however I feel as if my hands have been tied ever since I took the job here and do not believe Craig and I were afforded an opportunity to put our own stamp on the team.

“I offer my best wishes to everyone connected with the club and fell confident they can avoid relegation but only if the new manager is given the backing I did not receive.

“I still believe in my methods and management skills so my intentions are to hopefully stay in the game and prove a point or two.”

Cumbernauld chairman Watson insisted: “We are all disappointed that things have not worked out for George and Craig but results, other than an initial winning spurt when he took over, have been poor to say the least and losing to Luncarty was the final straw.

Former player and current United Under-19s coach Alan McConville will take charge of team affairs for the visit through to Holm Park but it’s believed he is not interested in taking up the helm on a permanent basis which is sparking speculation over the identity of potential replacements.

One-time Shettleston stopper John Crooks has his admirers among club officials who have already put their heads together to discuss their preferred managerial targets.

On the transfer scene, one hears of East Kilbride Lowland League loaning out striker Craig Hastings to Cambuslang Rangers while Gartcairn have revealed a willingness to listen to offers for back-up goalkeeper Johnny Grier and more surprisingly Chris Dolan who scored their equalising goal in last week’s 1-1 Junior Cup draw with Hermes.

And back onto the Junior scene is former Greenock frontman John Carter whose recent release by Queen's Park sparked a race for his signature that has been won by ambitious Glenafton whose manager Craig McEwan may give supporters a first sighting of the newcomer in today’s Scottish Junior Cup fourth round clash away to East Kilbride Thistle.

In other news, a meeting of Super First Division promotion rivals Petershill and Clydebank was the pick of the ties pulled from the hat when West Region beaks made the Central League Cup draw this week.

Reigning trophy holders Pollok are away to Cumbernauld United in a preliminary round contest and if successful they will be on the road again to meet Port Glasgow whose near neighbours and last season’s beaten finalists Greenock were landed with a home draw against Lanark United.

The full list of pairings is Dunipace v Royal Albert or Vale of Clyde, Ashfield v Benburb or Thorniewood Utd, Maryhill v East Kilbride Thistle, Petershill v Clydebank, Neilston or Johnstone Burgh v Forth Wanderers, Port Glasgow v Cumbernauld Utd or Pollok, Carluke Rovers v Bellshill Athletic or Rossvale, Newmains Utd v Lesmahagow, Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Rob Roy v St Roch's, St Anthony's v Blantyre Vics, Shettleston or Renfrew v Rutherglen Glencairn, Shotts Bon Accord v Yoker Athletic or Kilsyth Rangers,Greenock v Lanark Utd, Wishaw v Cambuslang Rangers, Larkhall Thistle v Arthurlie.

Meanwhile, there’s a potential rerun of last season’s Ayrshire Cup Final in the offing after holders Beith were pitted against either the beaten finalists from last time out Irvine Meadow or Craigmark with the full draw reading as Girvan or Lugar Boswell v Glenafton or Kilbirnie Ladeside, Hurlford Utd or Kilwinning Rangers v Darvel, Troon or Ardeer Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot, Beith v Irvine Meadow or Craigmark, Maybole v Muirkirk or Whitletts Vics, Irvine Vics v Cumnock or Largs Thistle, Kello Rovers v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Daltry Thistle v Annbank Utd.

On a sadder note, the funeral service for Auchinleck Talbot great Sam McCulloch will take place at Masonhill Crematorium in Ayr on Thursday at 11.15am.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm)

Scottish Junior Cup Fourth Round: East Kilbride Thistle v Glenafton, Rob Roy v Musselburgh Athletic, Kilsyth Rangers v Bonnyrigg Rose.

Replays: Maryhill v Fauldhouse Utd, Hermes v Gartcairn.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Arthurlie v Pollok, Beith v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Hurlford Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Kilwinning Rangers v Troon.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics v Girvan, Irvine Vics v Petershill, Renfrew v Clydebank, Rutherglen Glencairn v Irvine Meadow, Shettleston v Shotts Bon Accord, Yoker Athletic v Cumbernauld Utd.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Bellshill Athletic v Cambuslang Rangers Vale of Clyde v St Roch's, Forth Wanderers v Neilston, Wishaw v Greenock, Rossvale v Johnstone Burgh, Lesmahagow v Larkhall Thistle, Thorniewood Utd v Benburb.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Ashfield v St Anthony's, Newmains Utd v Dunipace, Port Glasgow v Carluke Rovers, Royal Albert v Glasgow Perthshire, Vale of Leven v Lanark Utd.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Muirkirk v Maybole, Lugar Boswell v Kello Rovers, Craigmark v Ardeer Thistle, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Whitletts Vics, Saltcoats Vics v Dalry Thistle, Annbank Utd v Darvel.