Uncle John is in no mood to Mussel in on David's big day

John McGLYNN hasn't offered nephew David, the Musselburgh manager, any advice ahead of Sunday's Junior Cup final with Auchinleck Talbot for fear of jeopardising the club's excellent run of form.

The Raith Rovers manager is a former player and manager of Musselburgh and will attend the Rugby Park showpiece in support of brother Charlie, the club chairman, and nephew David. Although a respected coach within the senior game, John hasn't been asked for his input by David, who is preparing Musselburgh for the biggest day in their history. Even if prompted for an input, John admitted today he would be reluctant to interfere given the success Musselburgh are enjoying under David's tutelage.

"I don't think he has to ask me anything. He's done so well to get the team to this stage that I don't think he needs any advice from anyone," said John. "He's taken the team into the East Region Super League and he's won cups with them.

"He's got a very good team there and I wouldn't want to be the one to put a spanner in the spokes. I'm not going to be the fall guy if anything goes wrong. David's got them this far and I'm sure he can take them to the next step. I'll be happy just to spectate on the day, I'm right behind them.

"It's really exciting for me because I've had a relationship with the club for a number of years. I played for Musselburgh and managed them. My brother became chairman at a time when Pat Stanton was the manager. My brother went in to help Bobby Ritchie, who was a stalwart at the club for years. Myself and Dave McGovern went in as co-managers and at that time Musselburgh were in the doldrums, really.

"I'm delighted for the people who have put a lot of work in and stuck at it for a number of years. They are now at the top end. There's no bigger game at junior level than the Scottish Cup final. Musselburgh are in the Super League now and they've won a number of cups so they've come a long way. A lot of effort and money has been put in over the years."

Living in Wallyford has allowed McGlynn first-hand insight into the hysteria mounting ahead of Sunday's final. "Everyone you talk to is going to the game," he said. "In a lot of these situations the town of the club involved becomes a ghost town for the day. Musselburgh's a big place and that's what it will be like on Sunday. There will be a massive support at Rugby Park. Although they are the underdogs I think there's a wee inclination there that it might just be their day. Getting this far will really raise the profile of Musselburgh Juniors. It will raise David's profile and Charlie's, the players, the committee members and everyone connected with Musselburgh. There are guys who've been there for donkeys years, like Hughie Ferguson and Alex Ramsay. There are old guys who have volunteered to clean dressing rooms, put up nets, get corner flags, cut the grass, line the pitch and put the goals out. Sunday will be a great thing for all these people."