BILLY PEACOCK admits he is thrilled to be at the helm of an Arthurlie side seeking to further their Scottish Junior Cup dream against Rob Roy on Saturday.

The veteran goalkeeping coach has stepped into the breach following this week's shock resignation of erstwhile team boss Craig McEwan to look after playing matters ahead of the fourth round date with the Rabs.

It's been muted in some quarters that 59-year-old Peacock could promote himself into the reckoning for the highly-sought-after managerial post by steering the Barrhead club into the Scottish last 16, however he insists his only motivation is from wanting to help the players realise their potential.

And the one-time Renfrew gaffer made no secret of his calling upon the "Arthurlie family" to achieve this Cup goal - astutely enlisting the assistance of former players David Merriman and Gavin Duncan (team manager prior to McEwan) as he set about honing preparations for the Dunterlie clash.

Billy said: "Southy has gone and what's important now is for the guys to be focused on producing their best on the training ground and in games so Gavin, David and I have promised to do our bit by agreeing to stick around until such time as the club makes a new appointment.

"We had a great reaction to putting them through their paces on Tuesday and a repeat of that same attitude and desire in tonight's session as well as Saturday's game is going to be needed if we are to have any chance of extending our Cup run.

"Rather fortunately as it turns out, I was the one sent by Southy to run the rule over the Rabs in a recent victory over Largs Thistle and I hope to use that first-hand look at their playing strengths to our advantage.

"They are well organised and possess decent players so nobody should doubt they are capable of beating us, however I have the utmost confidence in our squad producing the goods on the day.

"In particular, our forward going types Chris Dallas, Eddie McTiernan, Danny Burns, Paul Stewart and Gary Smith are all potential match winners."

Interim gaffer Billy is vowing to leave well enough alone and not attempt to put his own stamp on this Arthurlie team.

He added: "The shape of the team has been hugely successful under Southy and nothing will change in that respect.

"The old adage saying if it's not broke don't fix it seems very appropriate at this juncture and hopefully the players can produce another top performance to get us into the next round."

Meanwhile, former Auchinleck Talbot and Junior Scotland skipper Brian Slavin, who lost out to McEwan in the Arthurlie interview process has been installed as the new team manager of Largs Thistle.

Slavers, away from the Junior football scene since a short spell assisting Gavin Friels at Dalry Thistle almost a year ago, had No.2 Stuart "Arnie" Davidson in tow when heading down for a first meeting with his Barrfields playing charges last night.

He admitted: "My delight at coming back in the game is multiplied tenfold by landing a job at Largs Thistle where the facilities and potential are excellent.

"Arnie and I do not have a magic wand but we do have good habits picked up during our own playing careers which we intend to pass onto the Largs players and see if the necessary improvements can be made.

"It's the norm for a new managerial appointment to spark a spate of signings but we fully intend to give the current playing squad an opportunity to show they can lift themselves clear of relegation danger.

"But if people don't step up to the plate starting away to Cumbernauld on Saturday then we will not hesitate to instigate a shake-up."

Another Scottish Cup hopeful Kilbirnie Ladeside, hosting the visit of Kilsyth Rangers on Saturday, have moved to strengthen their playing resources with the signing of Cambuslang Rangers transfer-listed ace Simon - even though he is cup-tied and unable to take part in the Fourth Round contest.

Valefield co-boss Stevie Swift explained: "Mark Crilly and I heard nothing but good reports about Simon who is a versatile type capable of playing in central defence or midfield.

"He is exactly what we need and I'd like to think the added competition for the jerseys will have everyone playing out of their skins."

Also on the transfer front comes word of Rutherglen Glencairn agreeing a loan deal to send out-of-favour striker Steven McLung back to his first Junior club, East Kilbride Thistle.