Auchinleck Talbot cornerstone Martin McGoldrick has gone for double or quits in declaring himself fit to play in

tonight’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final against rivals

Hurlford United

Goldie and another Talbot defensive cornerstone, Willie Lyle, posted missing from their backline beats in their side’s outings in recent weeks as a consequence of picking up

debilitating hamstring injuries were both named among the substitutes for last Monday night’s away game against

Beith though rather pointedly neither of them took part in the 2-2 draw.

Holding them in reserve was deemed a precautionary measure on the part of team boss Tommy Sloan, but now he is staring at a tough selection

dilemma if as expected the experienced pair throw their hats in the ring for the Newlandsfield- staged showpiece.

Does he include one or both in Bot’s starting line-up knowing any recurrence of their injuries will almost certainly rule his stalwart duo out of next Wednesday night’s potential Super Premier title decider …also against Hurlford?

Or should Tucker err even further on the side of caution and afford them an extra five days’ recovery time?

One-time Maryhill central defender McGoldrick did his best to persuade his gaffer to give him the nod in revealing , “I felt myself ready to figure at Beith last Monday night, but I can fully understand Tucker not wanting to take a gamble given I have missed out on a number of games .

“But both Willie and I took part in the pre-match warm up alongside the other guys with absolutely no ill-effects and we also worked out at half-time.

“For good measure, I also did some light running on Wednesday and feel good again so I’m up for playing in the cup final if Tucker wants me back.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us to do well when it comes to big game occasions, however that has always been the way of things in my six years at Auchinleck and I’m certain we are capable of handling it.”

Sloan’s careful considerations of the make-up of his side had him playing his cards close to chest when looking forward to the cup final last night, however it’s difficult to comprehend him omitting his defensive duo not least because of the psychological lift given to the opposition camp if they were to look at an Auchinleck team sheet minus the names of

McGoldrick and Lyle .

The experienced gaffer admitted: “I did think Martin and Willie would be up for taking part tomorrow night and I wouldn’t hesitate to play them but for the Super Premier game coming up next Wednesday.

“The stakes on offer are huge and I have to talk with both guys closer to kick-off time because they know how their bodies are feeling better than anyone .

“You need bottle to play for this club and they both have it in abundance, but I need them to show it’s not just the adrenalin kicking in that has them declaring themselves fit and ready given they have not managed a full training session for some time.

“Hurlford are a top class side and our head to heads this season have been close fought affairs so we cannot afford to gamble on anyone’s fitness.”

Tucker’s woes are shared by Hurlford counterpart and former Stranraer team-mate Darren Henderson who revealed himself to be swithering over his Ford star turn quartet of Stewart Kean , Glenn Mitchell, Ryan Borris and Paul McKenzie.

Hendo said: “Two of the guys need an injection to play and what’s going through my head is whether to get an injection for the West Cup or our midweek league meeting.

“Winning the title is arguably the most important prize as it brings qualification into the big Scottish, but on the other hand, my players are only 90 minutes away from making history as the first ever Hurlford team to win the West of Scotland Cup .

“And I would love to see this squad getting a due reward for their efforts over the past few weeks when they have literally been out on their feet yet still able to get results .

Three years have elapsed since Hendo steered Glenafton to a New Coin Holdings Cup triumph over Glasgow Perthshire and he would love to get his hands on the 88-year-old silverware again.

He added: “I want it more for my players but it’s a huge ask seeing as we are up against a club whose record in the West competition may never be matched . I’m proud of the fact my players are in with a shout of lifting two of the biggest prizes in the game and if we get the breaks then who knows?”