THERE'S no secret to why Irvine Meadow boss Stevie Rankin and his sidekick Murdie McKinnon are regarded as one of the most knowledgeable management teams in Junior football.

On any night when their Medda obligations allow, one or both can be spotted taking in amateur, juvenile or Senior youth matches in their quest to unearth new prospects.

Their groundwork means there are few people better versed on Scotland's up-and-coming footballing talent.

However, both men showed an extraordinary recollection of decades-worth of fantastic players when asked to name their best-ever Junior XI.

GOALKEEPER:

Healthy debate ensued over the merits of Jim Harkins, who played for Glasgow Perthshire late on in a career that once saw Celtic sign him from Renfrew in 1967, and Brian Alexander, keeper at Ashfield, where Stevie and Murdie won many trophies before moving on to Irvine Meadow last year.

However, the No 1 jersey was won by the anticipation, bravery and sheer longevity of Craig Nelson, who started at Ashfield before a Senior career that lasted until he was 42.

DEFENDERS:

Petershill legend Dougie Friedman just got the nod over Auchinleck Talbot's five-times Scottish Cup winner George Gemmell for the No 2 shirt.

Stevie, no mean left back in his playing days, went for the ex-Pollok man Mick Hepburn in that position.

And he insisted there was no sentiment behind the choice of his older brother Stan Rankin as centre-half.

He said: "Stan was getting on in years when he was reinstated to St Roch's following a Senior career with Morton, St Johnstone and Clyde.

"But his commitment was second to none and rubbed off on many others around him.He could match up physically with the best of them but he could also play a bit."

Former Petershill stoppers Ian "Tattie" Young and Pat Cairney were considered as Stan's partner. But the nod went to Pat Fagan, who never shirked a challenge for Glasgow Perthshire and St Roch's in the 1970s and early 1980s.

MIDFIELDERS:

Wingers, capable of beating their man and creating mayhem in opposition defences, were a must for this team.

The Medda management duo were spoilt for choice as they discussed the options of Andy Dailly, Pat Crawley, Neil Diamond and their current wizard, Gary McCann.

Finally they plumped for former Pollok, Petershill and Cumnock star Alex McVake for the right-wing berth.

The trickery and bravery of Maryhill wide player Sean Bainbridge secured him a place on the left flank.

It speaks volumes for their regard for their current Medda captain Mark Thomson that he emerged as a candidate for the playmaker role with Andy McLay (Maryhill, Pollok) and Bobby Russell, who started at Shettleston before going on to become a Rangers legend.

But both men agreed on the choice of former Pollok genius Martin Nelson.

Both men felt they needed a tough tackler to complement Nelly's sublime passing skills.

The names of renowned ball-winners Dougie Fontana (Benburb), John Kay (Maryhill), Mick Connolly (St Anthony's), John Towie (Pollok) and Jimmy Robertson (Petershill) were all given a mention. But Stevie won the day with his nomination of Tommy Carberry.

He said "The Cad is best remembered for his part in Pollok's first Scottish Cup win in 1981 but he was a stand-out playing with St Roch's.

"He left his mark, literally, wherever he went and it was a familiar sight to see opposition supporters baying for his blood after games."

FORWARDS:

Stevie and Murdie have come up against many players born with a "sniffer's nose" for goal, such as Norrie Fulton and Eddie McKim plus Norrie Pate, who excelled for Renfrew in the 1970s.

In the end they could not see past the razor-sharp reflexes of ex-Maryhill forward Paddy Turner.

Hughie Farrell (St Roch's and EK Thistle) came close to nabbing the strike partner spot but Stevie chose one-time Perthshire forward Pat Smyth.

He explained: "Pound for pound, there was no forward more difficult to play against. Pat's bravery and willingness to work was second to none."

John Docherty (St Roch's) and Matt Tannahill (Maryhill) were named as co-managers for this Junior Dream Team:

Nelson; Friedman, Hepburn, Rankin, Fagan; McVake, Carberry, Nelson, Bainbridge; Turner, Smyth.

SUBSTITUTES:

Harkins, Young, Connolly, Farrell, Robertson.