One-time goalkeeper Sandy McLean’s views on this season’s ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup semi-finals are going to take some beating.

The newly-installed boss of Super First Division basement strugglers Ardrossan Winton Rovers took charge of his first training session in midweek and Evening Times Sport felt it wholly appropriate to ask him to take a break from preparations for Winton’s visit to Cumbernauld United tomorrow to give his considered opinion on how the twin last-four clashes would pan out.

And one might take great store from the oft-acclaimed No.1's judgment given that he was a losing finalist with Petershill and a cup winner with Arthurlie during a chequered playing career prior to him taking up the management reins and steering unfancied Largs Thistle to the game’s 2010 showpiece finale only for Linlithgow Rose to emerge 1-0 winners through a Kevin Donnelly wonder goal.

Sandy’s past experience of handling everything thrown at him could be a useful asset after he unashamedly tipped one of his former clubs Beith to emerge as ETHX silverware winners with a narrow Rugby Park victory over Hurlford United.

He said: "Any of the last four teams standing could get their hands on the trophy but I just happen to believe this is Beith’s turn.

"My old Arthurlie team-mate Johnny Millar is in charge and he has so much experience to call upon defensively in the likes of John Sheridan and Kevin McDonald while up front he has livewire strikers in Kenny McLean, Andy Reid and Darren Christie.

“And I’m sticking to my prediction despite being left suitably impressed watching from the Abbey Park terracings last weekend as a very powerful and slick moving Kilwinning side ran out deserved 3-0 winners over Ardrossan.

“Chris Strain deserves all the praise going for his leadership and also for keeping hold of all his best players when the so called bigger clubs were trying to cherry-pick them but he may have to wait a little longer for his rewards to come.”

The ex-Morton Youths coach insists the meeting of Hurlford and Pollok is every bit as difficult to cal,l however he reckons the greater all-round experience of Darren Henderson’s men will enable them to edge things.

Sandy added: "I’m a big fan of Tony McInally even though we’ve had more than our fair share of dugout ding-dings down through the years.

“His rebuilding job with Pollok, cementing solid organisation with flair players, has been nothing short of outstanding and is deserving of nothing less than the utmost respect from people in the Juniors.

“ Indeed, only Tommy Sloan at Auchinleck made a better fist of management than Tony during my five seasons at Largs.”

So why is Sandy pinning his colours on the Hurlford's mast?

He explained: “Darren’s side are so strong physically and he has players like Chris and Ross Robertson, Stewart Kean and Taz McKenzie who get the bit between their teeth on these big Junior Cup occasions.

“Hurlford lost to Talbot in the semis last year on top of being cup winners before that and I fancy their having guys who have been over the course will pay dividends.”

Turning to his Ardrossan players brought a wry smile to the seasoned gaffer’s face.

He said: "The catalyst for me throwing my hat into the ring for the Winton job was my former assistant Derek Cook, Ardrossan born and bred, who was never off the phone telling me about the club’s potential after Chris Strain Senior stepped down.

“And to be fair I can only agree with him following our initial squad get together because the set-up and facilities are truly fantastic and I cannot think of any Junior side that comes close to what Ardrossan can offer in terms of infrastructure and hard- working officials behind the scenes.

“And I’m every bit as encouraged by the attitude and commitment shown on the pitch and cannot wait to work further with the players .

“Our first target is to make us hard to beat and building work can get underway from that solid base.

“There are quality players here and hopefully we can get them to produce their best more often than not.”

Elsewhere, planning a memorable celebration of their 60th year in the Juniors are Johnstone Burgh who are holding their Player of the Year awards at Spatestone Bowling Club on Saturday, May 21, and want to invite players and backroom staff from the Scottish Cup-winning teams of 1964 and 1968 to the event along with players and backroom staff from the 2000 Finalists that lost out on a penalty kicks shoot out to Whitburn.

Interested parties are requested to telephone club secretary Ricky Cantwell on 07719323744 for further details .

PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick Offs 2pm unless stated): ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Finals. First Leg(2.30pm).Beith v Kilwinning Rangers, Hurlford Utd v Pollok.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Irvine Meadow v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Auchinleck Talbot v Petershill, Rob Roy v Shettleston, Glenafton v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Bellshill Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord, Yoker Athletic v Largs Thistle, Blantyre Vics v Cumnock, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clydebank, Maybole v Kilsyth Rangers, Cumbernauld Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

McBookie.com Central First Division

St Roch's v Dunipace, Vale of Clyde v St Anthony's, Larkhall Thistle v Maryhill, Johnstone Burgh v Rossvale, Thorniewood Utd v Wishaw, Lesmahagow v Carluke Rovers, Neilston v Renfrew.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Newmains Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Ashfield v Lanark Utd, Port Glasgow v Royal Albert, Forth Wanderers v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Cambuslang Rangers v Benburb.McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Whitletts Vics v Craigmark, Lugar Boswell v Ardeer Thistle, Darvel v Muirkirk , Kello Rovers v Annbank Utd, Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Irvine Vics v Girvan.