Talk of Talbot discontent not deflecting Musselburgh boss McGlynn

The Ayrshire aces have been rocked by a triple blow since they were only beaten 1-0 by Hearts in the SFA equivalent at Tynecastle less than a fortnight ago. Midfield duo Kenny Connolly and Bryan Young have both told Talbot boss Tommy Sloan they want to leave, while striker David Gillies has been ruled out for a spell due to work commitments.

“We’ve got a few things we need to address,” admitted Sloan. “A couple of the lads asking away just after the high of the Hearts game came out of the blue.”

McGlynn, pictured, has seen the stories but laughed off any suggestion that Saturday’s visitors to Olivebank for a repeat of last year’s final are in disarray.

“You look at stuff like that but it doesn’t affect me or my players in any way,” he said. “What matters is that we look after our camp. I know my team for Saturday already and it’s a case of building them up and sticking to our gameplan.

“Tommy Sloan won’t be worried about us and I’m not going to be worrying about Auchinleck.”

Talbot came close to earning a replay against Hearts, who needed an 84th-minute strike from Gordon Smith to spare their blushes.

“There’s no doubting the fact that Auchinleck are a good side,” added McGlynn ahead of a mouth-watering fourth-round clash.

“The majority of top Junior clubs could hold their own in the Third Division of the SFL with no problems at all. Some of the bigger ones could even play in the Second Division and down in Ayrshire the Junior game is bigger than the Senior game.

“I know that Hearts didn’t have a full-strength team out against Auchinleck but to only lose 1-0 was a great achievement as the gap between the two teams should be a lot bigger.”

It needed extra-time to split Musselburgh and Auchinleck at Rugby Park in last season’s final, with the Ayrshire side eventually coming out on top 2-1.

Burgh opened their campaign this time around with a home victory over Hill of Beath before claiming a 3-2 success away to Beith. “The Beith result was probably the best I’ve had as Musselburgh manager,” declared McGlynn. “To win through there was massive. Last year, with all due respect to the teams we played, we were favourites in most games en route to the final.

“It’s been different this season, though, and I’d say we are underdogs for the third round running on Saturday.”

Hospitality packages for the game, which has a 1.45pm kick-off, were sold out shortly after the two teams came out of the hat together, while sponsorship has also been secured for the match ball and match programme.

“There’s a lot of interest in the tie, the fact it’s a repeat of last year’s final gives an extra edge to it,” said McGlynn.

In a major boost for the home team, McGlynn has strengthened his squad by bringing midfielder Paul Currie back to the club after spells at Berwick and Hamilton.

The Burgh boss has also just signed centre-half Gary Hamilton from Spartans Juniors.