BLANTYRE Vics boss David Greig and his No.2 Scott Mills first enjoyed success as a pairing at St Roch's.

They have continued their winning ways at Castle Park, where they won the Central Second Division title last season and are now gearing up to face Cumbernauld United in next month's Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup Final.

They never waste their words on shouting for the sake of it but when they do speak, people listen.

So their ruminations over their best-ever Junior XI and their views on players from the past and present are sure to spark heated debate.

GOALKEEPER

A couple of former Pollok shot-stoppers, Ian Wilson and big Howard Sammeroff, were to the fore in the managerial duo's thoughts, with Greggy recalling how the imposing figure of Sammeroff was an integral part of Lok's 1985 Junior Cup-winning side.

But that did not prevent him awarding the gloves to a former St Roch's team-mate Andy Heafey, whose natural ability and work ethic on the training ground earned him Greig's acclaim.

He said: "Andy went on to play for Kilbirnie Ladeside to great effect then Benburb, where he also doubled up as goalkeeping coach.

"But the fact Kilbirnie's supporters named him in their Team of the Century says everything for me."

DEFENDERS

One-time Maryhill ace Terry Farrell is Davie and Scott's epitome of an attacking full back, with former Vics and Pollok ace Andy McQuade running him close.

However, another ex-Pollok stalwart Mark McWilliams prompted Greggy to pick him and add: "He was no more than four stone when soaking wet but, my God, he could tackle with the best of them."

Davie then plumped for another ex-St Rochs legend, Joe McColl, to play on the opposite side of his defence.

He explained: "Joe was a 100-per-center blessed with a wand of a left foot. He had the energy to both defend and get forward.

"Joe really should have ended up with a cabinet full of winners medals by moving on to a top club but he stayed at St Roch's, where he felt content. He just pips hard-as-nails Stevie Rankin for the No.3 jersey in our team."

Tough and uncompromising ball-winning types like Pat Cairney (Arthurlie and Petershill), Frank Lovering (Benburb) and Willie Russell (Baillieston) received more than passing mention as candidates for central defender roles, as did former Bens sweeper Derek Wingate.

But the duo could not see past the outstanding aerial ability of the former Pollok stopper Stewart Auld, who later played in the Premier League with Clydebank.

David and Scott twinned him with another Benburb centreback of great renown, Davie "Soap" McInally.

MIDFIELDERS

When it came to picking a wide player they could rely to be on song the Vics pair chose a real gem - Neil Diamond.

No, not the Sweet Caroline singer but the jet-paced flank ace who started as a kid for Benburb at Tinto Park.

Greggy explained: "Scott and I are sticklers for fielding a winger who can beat his man to create openings for others, so Neil is a shoe-in for our team." Diamond pipped Stevie Easton, who played for Pollok, Lesmahagow and Shotts Bon Accord.

Robert Craig (St Roch's), Tommy Carberry (Pollok) and Frank O'Hara (Benburb) were among other names put to one side in deference to the Vics duo's midfield picks.

They include the selection of talented former St Roch's, Ashfield and East Kilbride Thistle star Hughie Farrell for the left-flank beat.

Greggy reasoned: "I go to Junior matches looking to be entertained and nobody has given me more to smile about down through the years than Shuggy Farrell. His flicks, tricks and downright cheek are legendary. But even he came close to being omitted for someone I never actually saw in a competitive game - Charlie McInally, who played with Petershill back in the early 1960s and is the father of Pollok manager Tony."

Davie explained: "I play five-a-sides every weekend and Charlie still stands out a mile at 73 years old, so he must have been something else at his peak."

Forming the basis of the engine room is the current Cumbernauld United playmaker Davie Dickson.

He got the nod for making the game look easy as an unsung hero with Shettleston, St Anthony's, Rutherglen Glencairn and Petershill. In beside Dixie is former Pollok fans' favourite Davie Elliot.

His "chip-on-the-shoulder aggressiveness" and ability to score goals from midfield helped him to two Scottish Cup triumphs and got him the starting nod ahead of Ian Currie (Vale of Clyde), who "took no prisoners but could also play a bit," Greig said.

FORWARDS

When it came to choosing a front pairing, the names of great strikers such as Gavin Friels (Auchinleck, Pollok), Joe Marenghi (St Roch's), Gary Thomson (Benburb) and Petershill's Andy Dailly and Norrie Fulton all sprung to mind.

But with little hesitation the Vics pair opted for former Auchinleck forward Stevie Mallan and the feted Pollok marksman Bryan Dingwall.

Greig admitted: "Dingy is the finest goalscorer I've ever come across in the Juniors.

"And I can't think of any better leader of the forward line than Stevie, who had everything in his locker and was afraid of nothing."

The Greig and Mills Dream Team, in 4-4-2 formation, is: Heafey; McWilliams, McColl, McInally, Auld; Diamond, Dickson, Elliot, Farrell; Dingwall, Mallan. Substitutes: Sammeroff (GK), Wingate, Currie, Dailly, Friels.