TODAY’S Central First Division encounter between relegated Thorniewood United and fifth-bottom Shotts Bon Accord is set to be an anything but meaningless affair for the visitors.

That’s because newly appointed manager John McKeown will be in attendance at Robertson Park looking to run the rule over his new players in what is Bon Accord’s final game of the season.

Seasoned ex-Cumnock and Wishaw gaffer Ruggy was expected to take charge following his recent return from a holiday however he believes a watching brief will prove more beneficial and is content to leave interim boss Andy Scott in the dugout.

McKeown said: “Andy is going to stay and be part of my backroom team going forward and it was always my intention to allow him to take the team until the end of season.

“Being able to stand back and cast an eye over the playing squad is invaluable for allowing me to pull my thoughts together on where the side needs strengthening and crucially who will be part of my plans for next season and who will not.

“I’m not wet behind the ears and fully expect a number of decisions will be taken out of my hands by players opting to leave and I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if some guys team up again with their previous Shotts manager Kieran McGuinness who is now in charge at Wishaw.

“If transfer whispers are correct then Kieran is going to have a number of departures on his plate and it’s only natural that he turns to players he has worked with previously however he will be wasting his time making moves for Danny Burns or Johnny Murdoch as they have signed on at Hannah Park for next season.”

One of his former Beltane charges, Paul McGeough, was alleged to be on McKeown’s radar however it’s thought the midfielder is on the verge of joining Albion Rovers in order to team up with another ex-Wishaw manager, John Brogan.

McKeown added: “The mad dash to sign up players is already under way even before the close season and I have spoken to a few prospective signings myself but without actually concluding any deals as yet.

“I am hopeful of getting a few new faces on board but on the downside I’m also resigned to losing one or two guys that I would prefer to keep.

"A testing few weeks is in prospect but I’m looking forward to the challenge of pulling a team together.”

In other games today, it isn’t getting any easier for Cambuslang Rangers, fresh from knocking out New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup holders Pollok in midweek, and now hosting beaten Scottish Junior Cup finalists Hurlford United in a quarter-final contest where the prize for the winners is a home semi-final clash with Auchinleck Talbot on Monday night.

Tony McInally’s Pollok side travel across the city for a Central League Cup last-four showdown against a Glasgow Perthshire side that gave their illustrious city rivals the fright of their lives when they last visited Keppoch Park on Scottish Junior Cup duty earlier this season.

Mark Thomson & Co felt hard-done-by in only drawing 3-3 in that third-round encounter and bitter memories of their subsequent 5-0 replay hammering at Newlandsfield is sure to have the Shire players keen to avenge that defeat this time out.

Meanwhile, the fourth trophy of the season is up for grabs down at Meadow Park where Largs Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers are contesting the Ayrshire Cup Final.

Theesel have enjoyed an outstanding end to their season winning promotion on the back of eight victories in their last nine outings and Stuart Davidson’s men could make a mockery of bookmakers regarding the Super First Division outfit as underdogs.

Buffs manager Chris Strain said: “ Largs have potential match-winners in Alex McWaters and the big striker Scott Adam but overall they are a team that I would describe as being in the mould of Arnie their manager.

“His players work their socks off to deny opposition teams any space so my players have been well warned to expect a tough 90 minutes.”

Kilwinning trio Carlo Monti, Ben Lewis and Bryan Boylan caught the eye in last Monday night’s impressive 3-0 semi-final defeat of Beith and Strain is looking for a similar showing today.

He added: “The whole team played very well and it was particularly pleasing to see our stand-in goalkeeper Michael Wardrope record a clean sheet.

“ Adam Strain is now back training and available for selection but he’s missed a heap of playing action and part of me thinks it might be unfair to throw him straight back into a Cup Final.

“And I’m not one for sentiment when it comes to team selections however Michael maybe deserves to sign off in a game of this importance.”

PLAYING TODAY Kick Offs 2PM): Evening Times Champions Cup.Semi Final.Royal Albert v Beith.New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.Quarter Final. Cambuslang Rangers v Hurlford Utd. Ayrshire Cup Final.Largs Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers.(Meadow Park). Central League Cup.Semi Final.Glasgow Perthshire v Pollok.McBookie.com Central First Division. Yoker Athletic v Wishaw , Thorniewood Utd v Shotts Bon Accord.