Bryan Young’s place in the pantheon of Auchinleck Talbot footballing greats is secured even before he runs out against Linlithgow Rose tomorrow for a remarkable seventh Scottish Junior Cup semi-final appearance in 11 years.

This proud distinction is also one that Butch shares with team-mate James Latta.

And it might be looked upon as a tad ominous by their East Region opponents to discover the experienced Talbot duo have never failed to make the cup final after any of their previous six sorties to the Holy Grail’s last four stage.

“I don’t want to tempt fate by talking in those terms, but there’s no getting away from the facts and I certainly have nothing but good memories of Junior Cup semi-finals," said Butch last night.

“My first one was back in 2006 in a one-off Friday night game when we were rated rank outsiders against the then Cup holders Tayport at Firhill yet we came out on top 2-1 in extra-time with goals from Stevie Mallan and Davie Gillies.

“The format had changed to home and away two-legged contests by the time Auchinleck made it to the very same stage in 2009 to narrowly beat Rob Roy 1-0 on aggregate.

"I’m happy the semis have been played that way ever since as it provides a bit of insurance against any team having an off-night and getting knocked out.

“The opportunity is there to make up for turning in one bad performance and my view is that if a team produces two on the spin then they deserve to lose.”

Asking what stands out as the most memorable of his penultimate stage dalliances evoked a wry smile to the midfield playmaker’s features before he answered.

”I would have to say the 2011 first leg game against Bo’ness United as I remember turning down a new contract offer prior to the semi-finals which had prompted whispers of me moving on when the season finished.

“There was no doubting I would give everything for the team while still a Talbot player but Tommy Sloan knew how much I desperately wanted to play in the Bo’ness games so he threw in a negotiating trump card by saying I wouldn’t be getting a strip unless I signed a new contract.

“Tucker is not someone to be messed with and he meant every word of his ultimatum so I signed on the dotted line and I’m glad I did after scoring our opening goal in a 2-0 Beechwood Park first leg victory that set us up for 5-1 aggregate win.”

Eyebrows have been raised at Auchinleck's place among the last four standing not least because this season had been earmarked as being one of transition for the Ayrshire giants following a summer of change and upheaval that saw fully seven newcomers drafted in to supplement an aging playing squad.

But yet again the “old guard" have prevailed to the extent that fully nine of the 2013 Cup winning team that beat Linlithgow 1-0 at Rugby Park are in line for starting jerseys against the East Region giants tomorrow.

Craig Pettigrew and Colin Spence have moved on as has substitute David Gormley, who came off the bench to net winning goal, and it’s even more remarkable to think two of Talbot’s other substitutes from four years ago - Mick McCann and goalkeeper Brian McGarrity - will be turning out for Glenafton in the other semi-final clash against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Butch added: "Proving people wrong who regard the current Talbot as a spent force is getting a habit but we certainly gave them ammunition early season with a few indifferent results yet it’s probably true to say Glenafton are the only side to really turn us over .

“Our core of players are mainly the same but we are a changed team in many respects as we have found scoring goals difficult this time out and have relied to a great deal on the boys at the back putting up the shutters.

“That said the guys have not been found wanting in the big games and I doubt if any of the other semi-finalists have had to contend with the quality of cup opposition we have faced in having to take on last season’s finalists Beith and Pollok as well as beaten semi-finalists Kilwinning Rangers.

“We didn’t dare hope of going all the way again after struggling to beat Annbank United 2-1 in our cup opener, but a shared desire to be winners has served us well and we’ve got better and better as the months have passed,

The 30 year old was bubbling over with enthusiasm and looking forward to the trip through to Prestonfield as befitting someone who had just received the thumbs up after coming through a stiff training session to prove his fitness.

Talbot boss Sloan said: "Butch was a worry because of a calf muscle problem that caused us to leave him out against Maybole as a precaution last week.

"But he trained alongside the other guys and hopefully there won’t be any adverse reaction.

“His coming back in is timely as we have a major concern over Dwayne Hyslop, who sat out our last two matches through suspension but is now doubtful on account of picking up a painful toe injury at training.

“The continuity of the squad has been a big factor in getting us to the semi-finals and I’m just like any manager in wanting all my best players available for selection.”

Tucker’s trip through to run the rule over Linlithgow last weekend left him with mixed thoughts over his side’s adversaries.

He said: "The stories from through East have indicated Linlithgow are a shadow of the team they were four years ago however I thought they looked the part and were comfortable 1-0 winners over Broxburn Athletic despite leaving out a number of their top players .

“The two frontmen Tommy Coyne and Kevin Kelbie were both omitted and we know they are top players who will be among the first names down on their team sheet so we are preparing for a tough time of it tomorrow.

“Keeping the tie alive for the second leg is our main aim but we will not be setting our stall out to be ultra –defensive.”

Playing tomorrow (Kick-offs 2pm unless stated ): Scottish Junior Cup Semi Finals First Leg (2.30pm).

Glenafton v Bonnyrigg Rose , Linlithgow Rose v Auchinleck Talbot.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Beith v Largs Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers v Cumnock, Hurlford Utd v Pollok, Rob Roy v Arthurlie.

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

McBookie.com Central First Division.

Vale of Clyde v Johnstone Burgh, Greenock v Lesmahagow, Bellshill Athletic v Larkhall Thistle, Thorniewood Utd v Rossvale, Forth Wanderers v Neilston, St Roch's v Wishaw.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Ashfield, , Dunipace v Gartcairn, East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Leven, Royal Albert v Lanark Utd.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Annbank Utd v Lugar Boswell, Maybole v Dalry Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Darvel, Whitletts Vics v Kello Rovers, Craigmark v Ardeer Thistle.