Bryan Templeton at the double with new Selkirk role

Both games are away from home, with tomorrow's Image Printers Cup semi-final followed by a Premier Division clash next Tuesday.

"This situation has come about very quickly," said Templeton. "There was a committee meeting at the beginning of the week at which it was agreed that Paul would leave and I was subsequently offered the job. I have been at Selkirk for over two years and the majority of the squad were with me when I was at Gala so I know that they are a decent bunch to work with. I think the squad is as strong as we have had in recent times at Selkirk with a good mix of experience and youth."

Templeton takes over with Selkirk in the middle of the Premier Division following the loss of six points due to an administrative error, although they do have the chance to recoup these points when the two games are re-played.

"The points deduction was a bit of a kick in the teeth but there is no reason why we cannot get them back with the squad we have," said Templeton.

However, foremost in his mind is the tomorrow's cup encounter with Spartans followed by Tuesday's league game.

"It's some double-header to start with," said Templeton. "The only bonus is that nobody will be expecting us to beat them but we are going there with confidence and we know that they are beatable. They only beat us 2-1 earlier in the season and that was thanks to a very late goal.

"Spartans are currently the team that all others have to aspire to and I need all of my players to be well up for the game. I don't want any of them to come off the park saying what they could or should have done. This is a cup semi-final and I want them to play as if it was their last-ever game of football. I need them to get into that frame of mind and they should not need a lot of motivation."

Templeton welcomes back Jason Inglis from suspension and Jay Wilson from holiday while Scott McKenzie is fit.

Spartans' midweek game against Ormiston was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Ainslie Park, although no problems are foreseen for tomorrow's clash.

Mike Lawson, Spartans' joint manager, said: "I will be reminding my players that the goal we celebrated most this season was Omar Kader's injury-time winner in our 2-1 victory against Selkirk. They also missed a penalty that day so I don't have to remind my players how difficult it will be. I went to watch Selkirk last week against Stirling University and I thought that they played great. Their players will be out to impress their new manager and we're in for one hell of a fight."Spartans will be without Daniel O'Donnell, David Etale and Jonney Seeley although Chris Townsley, Dean Hoskins, Ross Archibald and Stewart Fowlie are all likely to start. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final between Whitehill Welfare and Tynecastle at Ferguson Park, home manager Paul Cavanagh has his fingers crossed that the game will go ahead.

"The playing surface is still very heavy after all the recent rain," said Cavanagh. "It's frustrating, although there is ongoing work on the pitch and we are raring to go. There is a huge carrot for the players and hopefully they can grab it with both hands. Every player in my squad has a huge part to play and our only absentee tomorrow will be Willie Kidd, who is suspended."

Tynecastle have no selection troubles and on-loan Hearts defender Dale O'Hara will gain experience from the club's management team of Murray Balloch and David Bingham. Wayne McIntosh, a former Whitehill goalscorer, will be determined to put one over on his previous club.

Both semi-finals kick-off at 2.30pm with extra time and penalties if necessary.