KEVIN McBRIDE says there can be no excuses for him and his Kilsyth Rangers team-mates not bringing their A game into tonight’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland quarter-final at home to Gartcairn.

The seasoned Junior full-back – still playing regularly at 38 years of age – and who doubles as Duncansfield assistant manager under Keith Hogg is aware his Super First Division side are massive favourites going into the tie but does not feel their current form merits any feelings of complacency.

He insisted: “Gartcairn have taken their fair share of higher league scalps this season, not least of all that of Troon from the Super Premier Division in the last round of this cup, and they simply cannot be taken lightly which is why Keith went the extra mile to have them watched recently.

“Affording them this respect means we now have a good idea of their playing strengths and are aware they combine a no-nonsense defensive approach with plenty of pace in the forward going areas and we fully expect them to come here and have a go just like they did when beating Troon 4-1.

“There’s no doubting we have the players here at Kilsyth to meet their challenge head on but only if we cut out the slackness that has crept into our own performances in recent weeks.

“Getting into to gear to play with a high tempo from the first whistle is essential as we have found ourselves having to battle back from two goals down in each of our last two outings against Renfrew and Girvan but one of these days this tendency to be slow starters will give ourselves too much to do.”

McBride whose list of former clubs include Rob Roy and Pollok took charge of Monday night’s preparations for the last-eight clash and he admits to being satisfied with Kilsyth’s state of readiness.

He revealed: “Michael McGhee and Chris Reid were back in the fold after missing last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Renfrew and it’s pleasing to have a full strength squad ahead of such a big cup game.

“And if our workrate and focus is what it should be then I’d like to think we’ll get a return from the goals threat we pose in having Nikky Prentice and Franny Kelly providing a steady stream of crosses on the flanks and outstanding Stenhousemuir loan signing Liam McRoar steaming into the box from midfield to support whoever gets the nod from our main strikeforce of Ian Diack, Scott Davidson and my brother Paul.

“Keith has utilised our full playing squad in earlier round games against Saltcoats Vics and Craigmark but I don’t see him experimenting against Gartcairn when we are just 180 minutes away from a possible cup final appearance.

“Even getting to the semi-finals sets up the chance of a visit to Newlandsfield to face Pollok (assuming they can overcome St Roch's of course) and a trip through to play in that arena is a great incentive for us as players…but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact Gartcairn’s squad will be every bit as motivated.”

A crunch 90 minutes is also in store for Super First Division bottom markers Maryhill whose manager John Hughes was left deeply frustrated over a 5-1 weekend humiliation at home to Shettleston and insistent that none of his players can count upon a starting jersey for tonight’s vital relegation head-to-head with fourth from bottom placed Shotts Bon Accord.

“Disastrous is the best description that sums up Saturday’s performance,” admitted the hard working gaffer.

“To say we were caught napping right from the first whistle is no exaggeration because we were 2-0 down and left with a mountain to climb after just 10 minutes.

“From that point up to half-time we came back into things by enjoying plenty of possession but without ever seriously threatening to pull a goal back and then Shettleston broke upfield to score a third which acted to knock the stuffing out of us.

“And we just couldn’t handle the physicality of the Shettleston players who could and probably should have added a lot more goals than the two they did score prior to Jamie Docherty bagging our late counter.

“Our display was all the more disappointing after a recent mini-revival had seen the guys pick up five points from an unbeaten three-game run inclusive of a very impressive display to beat Clydebank 3-0.

“I felt we turned the corner with that showing but Saturday’s result has put us back to square one and facing a massive game tonight.

“Win and we psychologically get away from the foot of the table and even more crucially move to just four points behind Shotts with five games in hand.”

A midweek trek to Hannah Park for a 6.30pm start is set to penalise Maryhill after Hughes, who has signed ex-Hurlford United midfielder David McClune, revealed a number of his playing charges are struggling to make the early kick-off time.

He said: “Better if this had been a weekend fixture because players finishing work in Glasgow at 5 or 5.30pm and having roadworks to negotiate are going to be really up against it.

“Already, David who did well on his debut, has said his work commitments will not allow him to get to Shotts in time and at least four more of the guys are in a similar pickle.

“David Mathews is free from suspension and Gavin Stokes back from a holiday break which is just as well as it’s looking like we will need every player on the books just to make up a team.”

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 6.30pm)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup quarter-finals: Kilsyth Rangers v Gartcairn. Third round: Darvel v Kilwinning Rangers.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Beith v Hurlford Utd.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Renfrew v Petershill, Shotts Bon Accord v Maryhill.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Bellshill Athletic v Benburb, Larkhall Thistle v Forth Wanderers, Thorniewood Utd v Lesmahagow.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Dunipace v Newmains Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Ashfield. McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Annbank Utd v Muirkirk, Lugar Boswell v Dalry Thistle, Maybole v Dalry Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Darvel, Whitletts Vics v Kello Rovers v Craigmark.

Central League Cup second round: Dunipace v Royal Albert. First round: Cumbernauld Utd v Pollok.