MARK McMANUS aims to show he still has what it takes to compete at the top level when he and his Yoker team-mates go head-to-head with Glenrothes in the Scottish Junior Cup tomorrow.

The game's Holy Grail competition has been anything but kind to the veteran midfielder who saw service with no fewer than five clubs - Rob Roy, Largs Thistle, Petershill, Rutherglen Glencairn and Maryhill prior to a 2009 move to Yoker where he currently operates in a deeper left-back role.

Early-round exits have tended to be his lot although last season the 33-year-old was left smarting as part of the John Brogan steered Whe Ho side that was strongly tipped to make it into the quarter-finals only to suffer the agony of a 4-1 Dam Park reverse at the hands of Whitletts Vics.

He could be excused for giving up on his cup dream following the crushing defeat, however a burning desire to get his hands on the 128-year-old silverware before calling time on his playing career has Mark vowing to take one step closer to the biggest stage of all by helping the Whe Ho overcome the Fifers in their own Warout Stadium backyard.

He insisted: "The game against Glenrothes means so much more to me because of what happened last time out.

"Just getting into the last 16 was breaking new ground for me and Lady Luck appeared to be smiling in my direction again when the cup draw then pitted us with a tie against Whitletts Vics - albeit away from home.

"No disrespect whatsoever intended but I was ecstatic over our pairing with an Ayrshire District League side when teams of the calibre of Hurlford, Irvine Meadow, Glenafton and Bo'ness United were in the hat.

"Confidence soared further when we led 1-0 at the halfway stage but conceding four goals in 11 second-half minutes saw us undone and I have to hold my hands up and say Whitletts ran out deserved winners.

"I'm getting long in the tooth and thought I'd passed up my best-ever chance of going all the way so now I'm having to pinch myself that only 90 minutes stand between Yoker and another last-16 place so Saturday cannot come quick enough."

Mark concedes he has been forced to curb his more creative side to hold down a regular place in team manager John McAulay's selection thoughts.

He revealed: "My opportunity came when the gaffer moved big John Harvey inside to play in central defence alongside Steff Reilly and they have struck up a no-nonsense partnership which has given us a solid core.

"I was never one to shirk on my defensive duties as a midfielder but it's a whole new ball game playing as an out and out left-back though John Dillon keeps me right if I stray out of position.

"It also helps having Greg Maitland play in front of me because more often than not my immediate opponent is forced to backtrack in order to help his full-back double up in attempting to put the hems on Greg who is quick off his mark and so strong on the ball.

"He arrived from the amateur ranks last year but has really kicked on this season to emerge as a special talent and is undoubtedly a potential matchwinner up at Glenrothes, but then so too are our other outstanding prospects Mark Maxwell, Davie Crerand and goalkeeper Craig Winslow who have likewise been catching the eye.

"This youthful core in tandem with the experience of Harvey, Reilly, Ryan Frew and dare I say it myself, has given us the nucleus of a good side even though our league position paints a different picture."

Yoker boss McAulay's team plans may well receive a welcome shot in the arm through the availability of highly-rated frontman Gary Arbuckle who has been in and out of the team in recent months because of his commitments working for the Police.

The seasoned McManus added: "Gary and Michael Rogers formed a prolific scoring duo last season and there is no doubt we have missed their goals return.

"He has looked sharp in training his week but has yet to confirm if he will be on the team bus tomorrow morning which is sod's law as he has been available on both Saturdays when the game has been postponed."

The Junior fixture list is yet again set to be decimated by the inclement weather conditions and supporters are being asked to contact their clubs and confirm games are on before heading out taking to the road.