Shotts Bon Accord boss Tony McInally makes no secret of the fact he believes Hill O’Beath deserve to be rated favourites when his side lines up against them in tomorrow’s twice postponed Emirates Junior Cup fifth-round clash.

But it really gets under Macca’s skin to have bookmakers quoting Shotts as 7-1 no-hopers at Kiers Park.

And he points to the fact his players are enjoying an 11-match, unbeaten run and are one of the highest scoring West Region teams going the rounds (only Kilwinning Rangers have netted more league goals) as proof that they can come good in Fife.

“We’ll have our work cut out to get a result there, considering Hill O’Beath have already knocked out higher league teams Arthurlie and East Kilbride Thistle on their own patch,” said the unassuming McInally.

“However, that’s not to say a victory is out of our reach. I firmly believe my players are capable of beating anyone on our day.

“Whether we can raise our game and close the perceived gap in quality remains to be seen, but we’ll certainly be well prepared and in fine fettle for giving it our best shot.”

Macca also believes Shotts will be able to cope if rugged stopper Gary McSeveney fails to recover from a calf-muscle strain prior to kick-off time.

He said: “We’ll give Gary every chance but if he comes up short, I’ve no hesitation in throwing in our latest defensive signing, Andy Boslem in for his first competitive start.

“He was formerly with Queen’s Park and came along to our pre-season training, where he showed up so well that I was on the brink of signing him up.

“But right out of the blue, Welsh Premier League outfit Port Talbot offered Andy an unbelievable contract offer and he understandably opted to go down there and play.

“Then around Christmas time he got back in touch, saying he had come back to Scotland feeling homesick and asking if he could resume training.

“This time Andy committed himself to the club and I’m absolutely delighted.

“He looks a very accomplished type, so reminiscent of Shotts legend Eddie Farrell.

“Eddie was a former team-mate of mine and a truly outstanding Junior defender.”

Macca added: “The likes of Andy, Darren Ferguson and Tony Fleming are no-nonsense, ball-winning defenders.

“And by all reports we’ll need their aggressive qualities to withstand Hill O’Beath’s physicality.”

Another plus point for the Shotts boss ahead of tomorrow’s Emirates showdown comes in the shape of striker Kevin Barr’s return to the fray.

The prolific hitman is now ready to make a comeback after a five-month injury absence with a torn groin muscle.

He said: “Kevin is probably the most natural goalscorer on the books and it’s a massive boost having him available for selection again.

“It can only be a good thing for a bit of pressure to be applied to Mark Duffy and Paul McLaughlin for the striking jerseys, even though both have shown themselves to be no slouches when it comes to sticking the ball in the net.

“They have bagged 25 goals between them, but what’s more pleasing for myself is how our scores have been well distributed throughout the team.

“In fact, another 20 have been contributed by the midfield trio of Stevie Barker, John Boyack and Billy Russell.

“All told, it’s a terrific return and I just hope our players can continue to show their goalscoring touch tomorrow.”

The names of Shotts and Hill O’Beath will both go into the hat, pending a winner of their last-16 tie, when the Emirates Junior Cup quarter-final draw takes place live on Real Radio during Ewen Cameron and Alan Rough’s football phone-in show tonight.

Other teams in the last eight draw are Linlithgow Rose or Whitletts Vics and Irvine Meadow or Rutherglen Glencairn or Cambuslang Rangers, plus Largs Thistle, Clydebank, Lochee United, Bathgate Thistle and Tayport.