ONLY one major prize has eluded Keith Hogg in Junior football - the West Region Super Premier title - and few would bet against him achieving that goal as manager of Kilsyth Rangers given his many trophy successes during a chequered playing career.

The former Ayr United and Hamilton Accies protégé was reinstated by former Ayr team-mate Jock McStay at Glenafton and four years later was moving East to the Jim Sinnett-steered Linlithgow Rose and a six-season term that was to prove the most successful time of his career, topped by two Scottish Junior Cup victories (2007 & 2010).

A loan spell at Kilsyth Rangers and a six months stint at Arthurlie followed prior to him moving back East to join Bathgate Thistle and he was on the verge of walking away from the Juniors until a phone call from Eric Sinclair at Kilsyth Rangers saw him enlisted as Duncansfield No.2 until Eric's resigning at the end of the season saw him take up the reins to good effect.

So that varied experience makes Hoggy a perfect fit for picking a Dream XI.

GOALKEEPER

Back in my Glenafton days there was the great Henry Smith while Ian Ross (Lochee Utd) was a great shot-stopper whose long-kicking prowess was a fantastic attacking weapon, however in terms of the last line of defence I reckon nobody beats Andy Carlin (Bathgate Thistle) who exudes confidence with the way he commands his box and is exactly what any defence wants playing behind them.

DEFENDERS

Keith could not see past the right-back berth being filled by ex-Glenafton team-mate Joe Carruth of whom he said "Had the engine to run all day and provide the team with additional attacking power down the wide areas."

He believes Zander Ryan (Beith) also gets up and down the pitch to deliver crosses with both feet so he was a strong contender for the left side of defence as was Paul Byrne (Hurlford Utd), whom Hoggy describes as a centre-back's ideal full-back, in so far as "he tucks in and covers but also knows when to get wide and be available to start attacks."

But when push came to shove Hoggy went for his current Kilsyth Rangers assistant and former Glenafton team-mate Kevin McBride, saying: "Kevin has to get in my starting XI or he'll give me grief but seriously he was a quality defender whose penchant for overlapping runs made him appear as an attacking winger while he has been known to win the odd header."

Keith added: "As a former central defender myself I regard Mark Campbell (Auchinleck Talbot) as a strong commanding centre-half who reads the game well while Tam Courts (Kelty Hearts) is a born leader and shows that every time he crosses that white line.

But the inspirational pairing I've plumped for is Greg Denham (Linlithgow Rose) alongside big John Ward (Tayport and Linlithgow).

Nobody timed tackles better than Greg and he demands nothing less than 100% from everyone in the team or else you will know about it while Wardy has the physical presence and winning mentality as well as a deep voice that puts a shiver down your spine."

MIDFIELDERS

There was only ever going to be one contender for playing wide right in Keith's midfield - Roddy McLennan (Linlithgow Rose) - whom he lauds as Linlithgow's version of Messi, insisting "Roddy has the ability to dribble past a whole defence and finish by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper without breaking sweat."

Down the opposite flank, Keith toyed with playing Kilsyth's goalscoring winger Franny Kelly or former Glenafton and Junior Scotland ace Stevie Agnew, "A wizard with the ball at his feet who could deliver quality crosses time and time again.

But yet another Duncansfield flank tormentor Nicky Prentice eventually came top in his deliberations with the team boss claiming: "Nicky has all the qualities to be a fantastic winger, as he is a joy to behold when running at full-backs with his pace and quick feet and he scores goals into the bargain."

Michael Keenan (Arthurlie) and Brian McGinty (Irvine Meadow) were considered for engine-room places but Keith could not overlook his former Linlithgow skipper Danny Smith.

He said: "Every good side needs a leader of the pack and Danny was someone who drove his team-mates on no matter what type of game and there was none better at supporting players who weren't having their best game and turn them around.

"Beside the battling Danny I will go for the more cultured Ian Nimmo (Bo'ness Utd), a fantastic player with great ability on the ball and the vision to play killer passes to create goalscoring opportunities."

FORWARDS

Keith revealed: "So many top strikers have come across my path as a player and manager not least of all Paul Stewart (Arthurlie) and I'm also a big fan of Stewart Kean (Hurlford Utd) an out and out goalscorer with the quickest reactions I've ever seen.

"While further back in time I recall Robert Downs (Pollok) who runs non-stop for 90 minutes and is a defender's nightmare."

"Ultimately though I must pick Brian Carrigan (Linlithgow Rose), probably the best player I've ever had the pleasure of teaming up with in the Juniors.

"Carrots had so much confidence in his ability while his speed of thought made him one step ahead of everyone else on the pitch and I'd fancy a partnership of him and the very intelligent David Winters (Pollok).

"He drifts off defenders shoulders to score goals with ease and his inherent ability to find space allows him to be the perfect link in bringing other players into the game."

Hoggy's very own Dream Team comes out as Carlin, Carruth, Denham, Ward, McBride, McLennan, Smith, Nimmo, Prentice, Carrigan, Winters. Substitutes: Ryan, Keenan, Stewart, Downs, Ross (G.K.)