SHETTLESTON supporters are looking to hitman Rikky McIntosh to gun down Rob Roy in tomorrow’s Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Final.

And with good reason seeing as the 23-year-old has a bit of previous in this respect after helping put the Rabs to the sword last season by getting on the scoresheet in a 2-0 Super Premier league win for the Town.

But one-time St Johnstone and Montrose signing Rikky does not believe that triumph will have any bearing whatsoever on tomorrow’s Somervell Park outcome in light of the wholesale changes made to his Town dressing room that leaves him as one of just four survivors (Bob Campbell, Ryan Scott and Ross Dickson are the others) who took part in last September’s meeting of the clubs.

He insisted: “Rob Roy are again getting a lot of headlines for their attacking flair but how can you make comparisons when we are almost unrecognisable from last term?

“And not just personnel wise because the gaffers Peter Weatherson and Ryan McStay demand very high playing standards and want us to express ourselves every time the team runs out on the pitch.

“Their belief in us as players has helped breed confidence and on our day we fancy our chances against any Junior team...even the Super Premier league leaders.

“This is my first cup final since dropping into the Juniors four years ago and I’d love it to be memorable for all the right reasons.”

A first cup final appearance in the Juniors also beckons for 24-year-old Rob Roy star turn Chris Duff whose sparkling wing play has been to the fore in the Kirkintilloch outfit’s superb winning run and has earmarked as one of the first names down on Stewart Maxwell’s team sheet tomorrow.

The former Campsie Minerva starlet revealed: “I didn’t feature in any of our games against Shettleston last term but the fact we only picked up a point (it was 1-1 at Guys Meadow) shows how we struggled to overcome their strength and physicality.

“We’re much the same team with a few exceptions and it’s the added experience of Craig Buchanan, Kevin Green and Shaun Fraser that has us looking a better all-round side this time out, however we are also aware that Shettleston are much improved themselves.

“Playing at our best we are certainly good enough to come away as cup winners but anything less could leave us all disappointed.”

The respective team captains – Gary McMenamin (Rob Roy) and Greg McDonald (Shettleston) – have won trophies throughout their playing careers but neither of them has ever skippered a team to cup glory.

Thirty-three-year-old midfielder McMenamin admitted: “Sunday’s game is massive for Rob Roy and for myself personally as I’ll be deeply honoured if given the nod to lead the guys out ,

“They are a terrific bunch and it says everything about the spirit amongst us that we are meeting up on Saturday where we will no doubt be second guessing the gaffer’s likely team selection.

“Everyone knows there are a few shoo-ins for starting jerseys in Danny McKenzie, Jordan Brown in goal, Gavin Mackie whose deliveries from out wide are sensational and, of course, Chris Duff whom everyone hopes will showcase his talents on the final stage.

“And we cannot possibly leave out Willie Sawyers whose current form deserves to have him mentioned as one of the best Junior strikers going the rounds.

“Willie has always been a goalscorer of some repute but nowadays he’s more of a team player prepared to work his socks off to help the guys around him and Rob Roy are benefitting as a result.”

Asking Gary if he will be anchoring the Rabs midfield evoked an unassuming response.

He added: “I would say I’m more hopeful than confident of being involved after suffering a dip in form in recent outings against Kilwinning Rangers and Cumnock.

“I then counted myself fortunate to start our last game with Pollok but ended up with a red face after getting my marching orders for two yellow-card offences so there is no way I’m taking my place for granted … team captain or not.”

Town counterpart McDonald can boast a chequered Senior career inclusive of a stint as manager of Stirling Albion whom he steered to promotion into Scottish League One via the play-offs, however he is relishing the prospect of the Junior finale.

The 34-year-old stopper said: “Junior football is still new to me but what I’ve learned already is there are plenty of decent players around and the standard of football is much higher than I previously thought.

“I’ve been impressed by our own Jordan Halsham, Rikky McIntosh and Lloyd Kinnaird who could easily be playing at Senior level but a number of opposition players have also caught the eye in our games to date.

“Taking on Rob Roy – a Super Premier outfit – is a step up in class – but I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to keep tabs on their front players.

“I’ve been well warned by my central defensive partner Ross “The Bull” Dickson on the strengths of Willie Sawyers and Chris Duff while nobody needs to tell me about Kevin Watt who was a team-mate of mine at Annan Athletic and is someone I rate as a top-notch striker.

“Rob Roy will undoubtedly be tagged as favourites but that situation suits us just fine and we can only strive to give our best and see where it gets us.”

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

William Hill Scottish Cup. First Round: Bonnyrigg Rose v Turriff Utd.

EthxEnergy Scottish Junior Cup. First Round (2.30pm): Saltcoats Vics v Renfrew. Replays: Bellshill Athletic v Bo’ness Utd, Glenafton v Broxburn Athletic, Dunbar Utd v Thornton Hibs.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Beith v Pollok, Hurlford Utd v Troon, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Kilwinning Rangers, Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Clydebank v Blantyre Vics, Irvine Meadow v Irvine Vics, Maryhill v Shotts Bon Accord, Kilsyth Rangers v Yoker Athletic, Rutherglen Glencairn v Petershill, Cumbernauld Utd v Girvan.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Johnstone Burgh v Larkhall Thistle, Forth Wanderers v Cambuslang Rangers, Lesmahagow v Neilston, Rossvale v Thorniewood Utd, Vale of Clyde v Wishaw, Greenock v St Roch's.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: St Anthony's v Port Glasgow, East Kilbride Thistle v Dunipace, Vale of Leven v Newmains Utd, Lanark Utd v Ashfield, Gartcairn v Glasgow Perthshire.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Muirkirk v Whitletts Vics, Annbank Utd v Dalry Thistle, Ardeer Thistle v Craigmark, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Kello Rover, Lugar Boswell v Darvel.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURE

(Kick-off 2pm)

Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Final: Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Shettleston (Somervell Park).