WISHAW boss Chris McGroarty has warned his players that their season starts for real tonight when they host the visit of Lanark United in a Euroscot Eng Cup last-eight showdown.

The Lanarkshire outfit, beaten semi-finalists last season, clinched the Section Two qualification spot with a 4-3 weekend triumph over Gartcairn.

And ex-wing ace McGroarty got in on the action for himself by coming off the bench to net his side’s winning goal.

But his vast experience - he has after all turned out for 10 Senior clubs during a journeyman playing career - means that predicting tonight’s played-to-a-finish contest will not be for the faint-hearted.

Chris said: “We drew 0-0 with Lanark in a pre-season friendly match where both sides fielded a fair smattering of trialists, so the result has absolutely no bearing on how tonight’s match will pan out.

“That said, what was patently clear to see was how John Brogan set up his side to be very competitive and give little away.

"So I’m expecting things to be just as tight to call this time around and we’ll need a big performance to get through.

“Hopefully we can produce the goods as the lift it would give our dressing room cannot be underestimated given next up is our Central First Division campaign getting underway with a testing trip to meet St Roch's.

“You can sense the excitement building so it’s hard not to feel the rehearsals are over now and here comes the real thing.”

McGroarty has retained most of the mainstays from last season’s Euroscot Cup run, not least of all dangerous front pair Michael Collinder and K.B. Barry.

And he has supplemented their talents with the more bustling attributes of ex-Larkhall Thistle hitman Ross McGeachie.

He added: “We’ve also added a leading amateur marksman Vinnie McGuire, whom a number of Junior clubs were desperate to sign and he is taking to the Juniors like a duck to water and netted twice against Gartcairn.

“ A bit of strength and Junior savvy has come from the additions of Dean Kindlan and his brother Dan from Carluke Rovers.

"So I’ve been delighted with how we’ve been shaping right up until Saturday when an acute shortage of bodies meant I had to take part in my first competitive game in 11 months.

“I was only on the park five minutes yet managed to score our winning goal, so I’ve taken a bit of a ribbing from the lads but hopefully they can do the business and I can stay unstripped tonight.”

Also fearing he may not have enough bodies to fill all the jerseys is Greenock gaffer Martin Campbell ahead of his side’s quarter-final clash at home to Vale of Clyde.

Marty admitted: “Jamie Canning is a definite non-starter with a groin strain while Barry McLaughlin sits the game out through a two-game suspension imposed for his red carding against Vale of Leven.

“One or two others are carrying knocks and strains, the most worrying being our team captain Alan Docherty and young Simon McBride.

"So we’ll delay naming our team until nearer kick-off time to allow everyone the chance of declaring themselves fit.

“It’s a pity we don’t have a full playing hand, particularly as there is a massive incentive to do well seeing as the cup draw has pitted the winners of our game at home to Wishaw or Lanark in the semi-final.”

Vale of Clyde’s hopes of making a new addition to their playing squad ahead of tonight’s journey to the Tail O’The Bank have been thwarted by last weekend’s defeated opponents East Kilbride Thistle, who have completed the signing of Congolese-born trialist Cristiano Kisuka.

The midfielder, formerly on the books of Rangers, emerged as one of the outstanding players afield in the Show Park head-to-head.

And his showing did not go unnoticed by Vale boss Ian Currie, who allegedly made an audacious signing approach as the teams came off the pitch.

Jags boss Billy Campbell said: “Cristiano capped a terrific performance against the Vale with a stunning 25-yard goal and I had already made my mind up to get his name on a form once the game was over.

“But it turns out he had previously worked at Rangers under Ian who knowing his abilities made a beeline for him at the final whistle hoping their past relationship might just swing things in Vale of Clyde’s favour.

"However, Cristiano was impressed enough with our team’s display and overall set-up that he put pen-to-paper after the game.

“It’s a real feather in our cap as the big fellow has all the makings of a top player.”

Elsewhere comes word of Johnstone Burgh looking for a physiotherapist with interested parties asked to contact Secretary Rikky Cantwell on 07719323744.

And one hears the first managerial casualty of the new season is Billy McKie of Junior newcomers Gartcairn, who stepped down following their 4-3 weekend defeat by Wishaw citing work and family commitments.

Assistant manager Gary Johnstone has assumed the hotseat with influential Gartcairn official Craig Armstrong coming in as his No.2 and ex-Dundee striker Tam McManus continuing in a player/coach capacity.