Excited Shanks has double vision
Talbot hit man would love to get hands on Scottish Cup again
AUCHINLECK Talbot ace Mark Shankland says he can’t wait to face Kilwinning Rangers on Saturday with a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup up for grabs.
While Shankland admits he’s eagerly anticipating the Beechwood Park showdown, he insists his side face a tough game against the Buffs.
He said: “We’re all really looking forward to the game against Kilwinning. There’s always an extra buzz around the place when we know our next game is in the Junior Cup.
“As a player, it’s the biggest cup competition you can play in at this level and I know that all the lads relish the chance to play in it.”
He added: “When the draw was made, I think a lot of people looked at it as an easy tie for us but I don’t think that’s true.
“I think Saturday’s match is going to be a tough one as Kilwinning have had a great run so far and they won’t want that to end.
“They went to Kelty Hearts and won in the last round, which was a great result, so I’m expecting them to come here with a lot of belief and no fear.”
The Talbot frontman may be expecting a difficult game, but he insists his side have what it takes to dump Kilwinning out of the cup.
“We know Kilwinning will come here and give us a hard game, but I believe we are more than capable of beating them.
“I think we have a stronger team, so I’m confident if we all play at our best on Saturday, we will get the win.”
Shankland already knows what it’s like to win the Junior Cup having been a part of the Auchinleck Talbot side who won the 2014/15 tournament.
The young striker admits it would be amazing to win the cup for a second time, but says he isn’t thinking that far ahead just yet.
“It would be great to win the Junior Cup again. Winning it with Talbot in 2015 was a career highlight so to do it again would be amazing.
“However, I can’t get carried away and think about that at the minute as there is still a lot of work to be done, such as getting past Kilwinning on Saturday.”
Talbot may be clear favourites for Saturday’s clash, but Kilwinning manager Chris Strain makes it clear he believes his side can cause another cup upset.
The Buffs are no strangers to being underdogs having gone into their last two Junior Cup with less than favourable odds.
However, on both occasions the Kilwinning club have come away with the win and Strain says there’s no reason his side can’t do it again.
He said: “We know we will be going into the game as the underdogs and rightfully so – Auchinleck are a very good side with an unparalleled record in this competition.
“But that won’t bother us. Myself and my players truly believe we can beat them in their own backyard.
“It won’t be easy, but it’s certainly not impossible. We played them earlier in the season and while they did beat us, I felt we were the better side for large parts of the game.
“They are a good team that are to be respected but we won’t be overawed by them. I’m under no illusions how hard it will be to beat them, but I believe it can be done.”
The game, at Beechwood Park, kicks-off at 2.30pm.