Linlithgow's Stuart McArthur's sweating on place for final

ONE of the stars of Linlithgow's last Scottish Junior Cup win is waiting anxiously to see if he has done enough recently to grab a place in tomorrow's starting line up.

Stuart McArthur or "Tank" as he is known, the Rose midfield general for the last three seasons, has had a stop-start campaign this time round.

He said: "I was injured at the start of the season and, with a new boss (Dave Baikie] coming in, he brought in some new faces to the squad and obviously gave them the chance to shine.

"That made it difficult for me to force my way into his plans and for a while I dropped below the radar.

"Recently, though, he has given me a chance from the start and I came up with three goals in two games and I think I did well enough to keep my place.

"Unfortunately, I had a long-standing wedding arrangement and was missing from the game against Newtongrange Star last week.

"I had told the club about this some time ago and reminded them I was going. It is bad luck that they wedding was just before the Scottish Cup Final instead of at the time when I couldn't get my place.

"I don't know if me missing the Newtongrange game will affect the gaffer's decision about me. I'll just have to wait and see.

"What I have going for me is that I've been there before and done the business, as they say.

"If I'm selected I'm confident I can do the business again.

"I was in the side when we beat Kelty in 2007 and have a good record in the competition."

Not just in the cup but in all competitions, McArthur has proved a handy additional threat from midfield.

He said: "Over the last three seasons I've scored an average of over twenty goals each year. But this season, because the way things have worked out for me, I've only got seven.

"I've scored in big Scottish Cup games in the past – especially the 2007 semi final at Love Street when I got two.

"Plus, in our Tennent's Scottish Cup run when we reached the fourth round, I also scored goals.

"I feel if given the chance I can help us win the Cup. It might be the bench for me but it's a big bench now with seven subs being stripped."

McArthur had a short spell at Alloa before joining Jim Harkins at Fauldhouse Juniors when Harkins was trying to build a side capable of winning silverware.

Two of McArthur's friends, Colin Allison and Ian McMurray made up a trio of deadly strikers and, in two seasons they won the League Cup twice and promotion to the top division.

And, in season 2001/2, when Linlithgow won just about everything, they needed a very late goal from the legendary Davy Flynn to get them through in the Scottish Cup against Fauldhouse.

Those two great seasons at Fauldhouse ignited interest in the trio and first Allison left to join Linlithgow followed shortly by McArthur. McMurray went to Shotts and eventually Australia. All three players achieving success in their own way.

McArthur has been a huge success at Prestonfield but, as so often happens when a new gaffer comes in, he has his own thoughts.

McArthur's favourite position is just behind the front two where he feels he has the game to push forward in support if need be.

Putting aside selection fears, McArthur is totally focussed on the final.

He said: "It's all about getting the job done tomorrow. Forget about your friends and family being there. You can always see them after the game."