ALL the stars are in alignment for what is simply a massive week for Junior football.

Undoubtedly taking pride of place is next Sunday afternoon’s Scottish Junior Cup Final clash of fierce Ayrshire foes Auchinleck Talbot and Glenafton.

However, a number of hugely crucial games are to be played in the run-up to the game’s No.1 showpiece occasion.

Not least of which is tomorrow night’s Evening Times Cup semi- final clash between Glasgow Perthshire and Cambuslang Rangers – the Super Premier play-off match involving Kilsyth Rangers and Kilwinning Rangers - or indeed a first meeting of the season between those age-old city rivals Pollok and Petershill in the Central League Cup semi-final.

The Southsiders have their sights set on a cup double following their weekend New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup triumph over Cumnock.

And team boss Tony McInally is adamant he and his coaching staff are taking the game very seriously, even though he gave his players a break from training last night .

Macca said: "The guys put in some hard shifts in the lead up West Cup Final, so we felt it important to let them have some rest time in order to instil a freshness ahead of facing Petershill.

“We are already stronger in terms of playing numbers as Ryan McStay (cup-tied on Saturday) and Grant Evans (injured) are both available for selection and will definitely come into our thoughts.”

Asked whether striker Derek Hepburn, whose introduction from the bench proved decisive against Cumnock, would be in line for a starting jersey brought a guarded reply from Macca.

He added: "Del has figured in a lot of games recently, but we just felt he would make a greater impact coming off the bench in Saturday's game and he certainly did that and more besides.”

Petershill manager Willie Patterson, thought to have Hepburn on his signing radar for next season, is again without injured frontman Chrissy Hall.

But he still has a potent attacking threat in Stephen McGladrigan and top scorer Jason Hardie backed up by speedy wide midfielder Stuart McCann, who could find himself in direct opposition to older brother Gary.

Meanwhile, the search for a silverware prize continues for Cumnock needing to patch themselves up mentally and physically ahead of hosting the visit to Townhead Park of newly-crowned Super First Division champions Girvan in an Ayrshire Cup last-eight contest.

Nock gaffer John McKeown admitted: "To lose in the manner we did on Saturday - hitting the woodwork four times - was heartbreaking,but there’s nothing for it other than to lick our wounds and try to earn a semi-final place against Beith.”

On the transfer front comes word of Lowland League club B.S.C.Glasgow’s manager Stevie Swift raiding former club Kilbirnie Ladeside to sign highly-rated striker Martin Grehan and yet another move on the Junior ranks has seen him fix up promising Beith defender Josh McArthur.

Kilbirnie’s newly-installed team boss Budgie McGhie, who has appointed his former Clydebank Chairman Gordon Robertson as Valefield assistant manager, is also resigned to losing David Green, alleged to have put pen to paper for Queens Park along with brother Kevin (Rob Roy).

And one hears the Kirkintilloch outfit, assured of the Super Premier Division runners-up spot on the back of Shaun Fraser and Willie Sawyers goals chalking up a final league game victory over champions Glenafton at the weekend, have reputedly agreed a deal with midfield playmaker Stefan Law of Thorniewood United.

Meanwhile moves are also reported from Rutherglen Glencairn whose former Scotland Juniors goalkeeper J.C. Hutchison is on the verge of joining Fauldhouse United while yet another departure from the Celsius Stadium is 35 year old defender Brian Eadie who has called time on his Junior playing days due to work commitments.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES:

TOMORROW (Kick Offs 7.30 PM):Evening Times Champions Cup.Semi Final. Glasgow Perthshire v Cambuslang Rangers. Central League Cup.Semi Final .

Pollok v Petershill Quarter Final. Benburb v Lesmahagow .Ayrshire Cup.Quarter Final.Cumnock v Girvan McBookie.com Super Premier Play Off Game.First Leg.Kilsyth Rangers v Kilwinning Rangers.

FRIDAY 2nd JUNE 2017 (Kick Offs 7.30 PM ): McBookie.com Super Premier Play Off Game.Second Leg. Kilwinning Rangers v Kilsyth Rangers .

SATURDAY 4th JUNE 2017 (Kick Offs 2 PM ): Central League Cup.Semi Final .

Benburb/ Lesmahagow v Yoker Athletic .

SUNDAY 4th JUNE 2017 : Scottish Junior Cup Final. Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton.(Rugby Park 4.15 PM).