By his own admission, Shettleston boss Hugh Kelly would never have been able to come up with his dream Junior X1 without the input of former goalkeeper Stevie Hutchison.

The long-serving Greenfield Park gaffer fielded Hutchinson for over ten seasons.

And their on-field partnership endured to the extent that Hutchy is now Kelly's No.2 at the Town.

In a near 16-year-long stint as Town manager, Kelly has found himself drawn to the strengths and weaknesses of his own players rather than their opponents.

He said: "When you have prepared players for a game all week then it's our efforts and what we do out on the pitch that has always mattered to me.

"For that reason my choices are predominantly ex-Shettleston star turns.

"However, Hutchy has thrown in a few names that have caught the eye down through the years.

"And for fear of causing offence, we have also discounted guys who are still playing nowadays."

GOALKEEPERS

Kelly initially plumped for Stuart Robertson of the all-conquering 1999 Kilwinning Rangers side.

In contrast, his close ally praised the handling skills of Howard Sammeroff (Pollok).

Agreement was reached on handing the gloves to the imperturbable Kenny Meechan.

Kelly insisted: "Kenny was a truly outstanding shotstopper, but what really made him stand out from the crowd was an awesome penalty box presence that made every ball played into the penalty his to claim."

Defenders

Which in part explains why Benburb pair Stevie Swift and Dexi Wingate found places in his selection despite the competition thrown up by past Shettleston stalwarts John Crooks, Charlie Speirs and Davie Donaldson.

The Town boss said: "What made Swifty such an asset at Junior level is the fact he was a tough tackling, no-nonsense defender and so athletic that he could play anywhere across the backline.

"His ability to get up and down the park to score back post goals made him a shoe-in at right back.

"His big Tinto Park mate Dexi goes in at centre-back as much for his distribution as his ball-winning qualities."

One-time Senior pair Budgie McGhie and Graham Mitchell (ex-Hamilton Accies and Hibs) were given every consideration for the sweeper position.

But Kelly and Hutchy had no hesitation in awarding the role to former Town colossus Stevie Walker .

He added: "Stevie was one of the mainstays of the Shettleston side that went all the way to the 2001 Scottish Cup semi-finals only to lose 2-0 against Carnoustie Panmure.

"And another highly respected member of that team, Andy Williamson, gets the left-back jersey."

MIDFIELDERS

Finding the right engine room combination is vital in building any team and the Town management duo believe they have unearthed a special double act in picking uncompromising bruiser John Jack as minder for the classy, ball-retaining Martin Nelson, who always gave himself time with magnificent close control.

Shug insisted: "Nelly played on instinct and ranks as one of the best Junior players ever, while John Jack's skills may not have set the pulse racing, but he was both a grafter and someone who didn't know the meaning of the word defeat .

"Boris McLaughlin was a similar type in his first stint at Greenfield, but nobody dictated matters like Nelly."

Winger types capable of taking their man on and creating space for others was a pre-requisite for the 4-4-2 flank positions.

So a lot of deliberation took place over the respective merits of feted Town pair John Dickson and Alan Jack.

But Shug steered away from Greenfield Park circles in choosing Andy Essler (Pollok) and Mark Corcoran (Linlithgow Rose).

He reasoned: "Essler would glide and Corcoran speed past opponents, but both men shared the characteristic that on their day - they were simply unplayable.

"A lot of people didn't appreciate just how Essler backtracked to put in a shift for his team while Corcoran taking possession in the final third struck fear in defenders as well as myself in the dugout."

FORWARDS

Shug is an avowed admirer of busy types Paul McGrillen and Stevie Dallas, while he fondly recalls the goalscoring exploits of Danny Taylor (St Anthonys), Norrie Fulton (Petershill) and not least of all his own legendary Town frontman Andy Thomson.

He revealed: "Andy was a prolific marksman and immensely powerful in the air, but the striker I would like to get on the end of crosses is big Rocky Crichton who enjoyed a marvellous spell here before going on to win countless honours with Pollok, Lesmahagow and Arthurlie.

"Beside him, I would play arguably the best out-and-out goalscorer of more recent times - Bryan Dingwall of Maryhill and Pollok.

"Dingy became a cult hero figure to Pollok fans especially and at one stage in his career - he was on the shopping list of every manager in the country - myself included."

Shettleston's dream team reads as Meechan, Swift, Walker, Wingate, Williamson, Essler, Jack, Nelson , Corcoran , Crichton, Dingwall.Substitutes:-Crooks, Dickson , Mitchell, Thomson, Robertson(GK).