IT’S widely acknowledged that Junior football’s neutral followers love nothing better than to see so-called underdogs pulling off Scottish Cup shocks.

So one can imagine them rubbing their hands in anticipation after a glance over today’s schedule of 15 fourth-round ties which sees no fewer than six West Region outfits taking on top-flight opposition in head-to-heads that have become labelled as David versus Goliath contests ever since that great Biblical mismatch.

To give credit where credit is due, Kilsyth Rangers, Bellshill Athletic and East Kilbride Thistle have shown guts, tenacity and no little ability to actually make it through to the last-32 stage however it will be an astounding achievement if they can do more than ruffle the feathers of East Region big guns Carnoustie Panmure, Sauchie Juniors and Lochee United respectively in clashes today.

And one cannot help but think it would be bordering on the exceptional and worthy of a “Biggest Cup Upset In Their History” headline if Rossvale were to deliver a knockout blow to a Pollok side whose already formidable armoury was further strengthened earlier this week by the Southside giants beating a host of rival clubs to capture highly regarded striker David Gormley from Clyde.

The fact Gordon Moffat ‘s men currently head up the Central First Division standings shows his players are no pushovers and they already have the scalp of North Region leading lights Banks O’Dee hanging from their belts as well as boasting a marksman in their ranks, Stephen McGladrigan, whose name has regularly figured on the scoresheet in games against Pollok through the years.

But conceding home advantage in moving their plum tie from Huntershill Stadium to New Petershill Park in order to accommodate an expected sizeable crowd and with Pollok unlikely to arrive in complacent mood, given the Scottish Junior Cup represents their best chance of landing one of the major prizes this season, surely diminishes the Bishopbriggs club’s dreams of a giant-killing act.

Where a surprise is thought more likely to be sprung is at the Celsius Stadium where unpredictable Rutherglen Glencairn await the visit of Bo’ness United, 3-0 winners at home to Super Premier leading lights Kilwinning Rangers in the last round, but set to have their Cup credentials tested by the Glens.

And just about every pundit is reckoning a shock could be on the cards in the meeting of Central Second Division outfit Gartcairn (beaten quarter-finalists last season) and Super Premier basement strugglers Arthurlie whose own depleted ranks were boosted this week by the signings of goalkeeper Ahmed Mohamed along with ex-Pollok and Vale of Clyde defender Ryan Scanlon.

Barrhead boss Billy Ogilvie admitted: "Just about every Scottish Junior Cup tie away from home has degrees of difficulty and we are in no doubt that we face a tough time of it through at Gartcairn.

“We’ve had them watched and know they are a very attack-minded side and I also saw a couple of their front players, Gary Arbuckle and Ryan Donnelly at close quarters when they were in training at Queens Park and they are both decent players who could easily be playing at a higher level.

“No doubts they will push us all the way however if my players have enough about them to get through this tie if we play to our strengths.”

Home team gaffer David Greig was in typically defiant mood when promising a hot reception for the big boys late last night.

He insisted: “We don’t want to come off the pitch with any regrets so you can take it as read that we will be having a real go at Arthurlie tomorrow.

“And if my players cannot raise their game for going up against a big name Super Premier club then there is something wrong with them

“I would think a repeat of what I describe as our best ever performance when beating Troon 4-1 in last season’s West of Scotland Cup might be needed to get through and that might be a frightening prospect for Arthurlie’s midfield general Colin Spence who was part of that beaten Troon team.

“He is a terrific talent and someone who never gives the ball away so it’s an indication of how well our guys played on the day when he was substituted in the second half and I actually remember cheering loudly at the sight of him coming off.

“It might be too much to wish that Arthurlie will do the same tomorrow but you never know.”

Gartcairn supporters will be lifted by Greggy revealing his feted striking trio of Arbuckle , Donnelly and Mark Tait are fit and raring to go while veteran Alex Amos and Petershill loan signing Jake Morris are tipped to feature in defence along with skipper Kevin Ross.

Greig added: “Kevin is our longest serving player and our equivalent of John Terry insofar as he is just an inspirational ball-winning type who gives everything in his tank whenever he pulls on a jersey.

“The guys up front are also a bit special and I fancy they will have a major say in the outcome of this Cup tie because I’m expecting a really open game where we will create 2/3 clear-cut scoring opportunities.

“And with Arthurlie having their fair share then it might all come down to who takes their chances on the day.”