Ryan Deas believes Irvine Meadow will have their character tested to the limit as they target a fourth Ardagh Glass Cup win on the bounce at home to Irvine Vics tonight.

The derby match traditionally kicks off the Marymass Festival celebrations in the Ayrshire town and is shaping up as a far from meaningless affair even though Medda are all but assured of a quarter-final place.

The Vics players are certain to be fired up by the prospect of taking the scalp of their more illustrious neighbours, however, 26-year-old Deas - likely to be one of the first names on Stevie Rankin's teamsheet after earning rave notices for his performances since a close season move to from Rob Roy - insists the home team will not be found wanting for motivation themselves.

He said: "I don't regard myself or anyone else for that matter as a first pick given the competition for starting jerseys here at Meadow Park is the most intense that I've ever come across in Junior football.

"He's been as good as his word in giving each and every player the chance to impress up to now and hopefully I've done enough to build a case for myself to face Irvine Vics.

"We can sense how much winning this game means to our supporters in terms of bragging rights and this week's build-up to the showdown has been most enjoyable, but I've been warned to expect things to get even better through the atmosphere generated by a crowd of around 1000 fans taking in the game.

"I've played in a number of Junior derbies but this Friday night encounter has the makings of something extra special and I'm itching to play a part."

Prolific scoring midfielder Deas reckons it is only a matter of time before he gets off the mark competitively for Medda after netting five goals in pre-season friendly matches.

"I thought long and hard when Stevie phoned me about coming to Irvine Meadow," he said, "not least because Rob Roy's officials had been good to me. I did consider dropping down to the Super First with them but ultimately I could not decline the opportunity of playing in the Super Premier Division.

"I've settled in reasonably well and playing regularly has me full of confidence and feeling I can score goals every time I run out onto the pitch, particularly with the attacking role Stevie wants me to fulfil in the team."

Medda boss Rankin, with a full strength squad other than unavailable defender Mark Sideserf, admits to having a selection headache for the derby clash.

He said: "Michael Keenan and Grant Evans were involved in a car crash en-route to last Saturday's game against Saltcoats and I left them out as a precaution.

"They will come back into my thoughts but where exactly remains to be seen as Deasy and Gary McCann are giving us great thrust down the flanks while Jordan Murch and Mark Thomson are dovetailing to great effect in the engine room.

"And up top I have four quality forwards vying for the jerseys so there is every reason to feel happy with how the team is taking shape."

On the transfer front, Kilbirnie Ladeside have snapped up one-time Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir goalkeeper Chris McLuskey and it's also believed a deal is in the offing which will see Blasties' transfer-listed midfielder Matty Bennett move to Glenafton.

Petershill have completed the signing of ex-Albion Rovers striker Scott Sally while Chris Barr heads out the door on loan to the Candy Rock where he will be reunited with his former Blochairn Star boss Andy Cameron and attacking midfielder Kieran Daw has departed in a similar switch to Glasgow Perthshire.

Cumnock have sealed the signing of ex-Dumbarton striker Ryan Metcalfe and the Ayrshire club have also fixed up teenage Ayr United winger prospect Ryan Nisbet.

Meanwhile, a number of clubs are reputedly interested in the availability of 22-year-old ex-Dundee United and Queen's Park defender Grant Masson who spent pre-season at Clydebank.