Boss relishing task of attempting to unlock Auchinleck

But David McGlynn is his own man and, if there's a way to beat Auchinleck, then he'd rather try and work it out for himself.

Much in the same way as he often moves from the dugout at Olivebank to a higher position on the banked terracing so that he can get a better view of games.

At 35, McGlynn is one of the bright young managers in the Junior game and on Sunday he'll lock horns with another of them in Tommy Sloan.

It promises to be an intriguing battle – and McGlynn believes he's got the players to come out on top in Musselburgh Athletic's first-ever Junior Cup final appearance.

"This is the biggest game in the club's history," he admitted. "It's a great achievement for both the club and me personally.

"When I took over about six years ago, the plan was to get as high as possible, so to get into the Super League and then stay there has been a great achievement.

"We've been in nine cup finals since I took over, winning six of them, and last season we were in the finals of both the East of Scotland Cup and the Fife & Lothians Cup.

"Now we've made it to the Junior Cup final for the first time. We have a gameplan and now we've got to go and win the Cup.

"We need to try and keep people's feet on the ground so that they are not fazed on Sunday, though it is in everyone's nature to be nervous about an occasion like this."

As eight-time winners – most recently in 2009 – Auchinleck are understandably strong favourites at Rugby Park.

The Ayrshire aces have also accounted for the likes of Linlithgow, Bo'ness and Irvine Meadow en route to this season's final.

But McGlynn insisted: "I am quite optimistic – Auchinleck are not unbeatable.

"They have been resting players but I think I watched them with their strongest side on two occasions.

"I think they will play a 4-4-2. I think David Gillies will come back into it and Bryan Slavin will play on the right side of midfield.

"They've had ten games in 22 days. They're getting a rest now but hopefully fatigue will come into it and if we are still in the game entering the closing stages then we will give it a right go.

"They are a very hard-working unit. They're what I would describe as a Third Division-type team. They like to press teams high up the park and play off second balls. They are a lively side.

"I have not spoken to either Dave Baikie or Willie Newbigging. I'm my own sort of man. I've watched DVDs of Auchinleck and I will be watching them again before the game.

"I will trust what I see myself and will be focused on what we need to do."

McGlynn played for Falkirk under Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown then had a spell at Berwick Rangers before joining the Junior ranks with Linlithgow.

From there, he went to Whitburn before moving to Musselburgh, first as a player and, more recently, as manager.

"When I was at Whitburn with players like Callum Milne, the team picked itself," he recalled. "Derek Strickland had the easiest job in the world.

"I think we set a record of 23 straight wins that season and the only thing we didn't win was the Junior Cup. Ironically, Whitburn did win it just before I went there."

McGlynn was playing for Musselburgh when Jackie Myles left as manager to open a door for the next phase of his career.

"Myself and Dave Finlayson took it on as joint-player-managers then he moved to Ireland. I took over and it's kicked on from there," he said. "I think my man-management skills are quite good and we've certainly got a great team spirit at the club.

"There's a great atmosphere around the place and, if players are comfortable, it helps to try and get the best out of them.

"John Blackey was the reserve team coach when I was at Falkirk along with Peter Houston. Jim and Billy were the gaffers and you definitely learn a lot from these sort of people. John in particular was a big influence on my career."

McGlynn has already achieved an incredible amount of success for Musselburgh but he's thirsty for more.

He has the majority of his players signed up again for next season and is hoping Sunday's showdown is the first of many Musselburgh appearances in the Junior game's showpiece occasion.

"I said in October that we were three players away from challenging and I then managed to get Chris King, Paul Tansey and Scott Gibson back as well getting Guy Kerr on loan from Berwick," he said.

"It's been a great feeling waking up every day recently knowing we have a game like this to look forward to. We've got the bug for it now and hopefully we can have more runs like this in the future."

For McGlynn, though, there is only going to be one outcome that will ensure Sunday is a special day for him.

"People are saying it is a great day for the club because we are in the final but it will only be a great day if we win the Cup," he said.

"I don't think I'll be happy with anything other than a win. That will be my last message to the players on Sunday: 'Go and win it!'"