Miller in a quandary as supersub Steel keeps on blooming for Rose

The big striker has earned a reputation for making an impact after coming off the bench this season, his latest strike earning the Bonnyrigg club a 1-1 draw at Bo'ness in the Super League last Saturday.

And Rose manager Alan Miller admits he's reluctant to change a successful formula as his side bid to join both Bo'ness and Haddington in the last 16 of the Junior game's showcase cup competition.

"Young James scored a belter for us last weekend and has certainly had an impact when we've brought him on late in games this season," said Miller. "As teams are tiring, he's been able to go on and pose them problems.

"It is getting harder and harder to leave him out of the team but when something like that is working I don't think you should break it and try something else.

"I have also spoken to James about his general fitness so that he can last 90 minutes in games.

"Ryan McCallum has been doing well in that (centre forward] position and, though I'm not saying I can't play the both of them, I don't want to change the shape at the moment."

That shape certainly worked well against a Bo'ness side that was riding high after back-to-back wins in the Junior Cup.

"What pleased me most about last Saturday was the fact we limited a good Bo'ness side to a few clear-cut chances," added Miller.

"The level of application of the players at the moment is terrific. There's a good atmosphere in the dressing-room and it's a good unit. We've also got good players here but the big thing is that they are all working hard for each other.

"I'm sure a 1-1 draw last weekend would have pleased Linlithgow, though more because it meant Bo'ness had dropped some points rather than us.

"I don't think many people see us as a threat in the title race - but we are quite happy with that."

Vale of Leven lifted the Junior Cup in the 1950s and earned tomorrow's tie with a 2-0 win away to Banchory St Ternan last weekend.

"They are a bit of an unknown quantity and we never managed to get a look at them last Saturday," said Miller.

"But we know a bit about their standard because we have already played Johnstone Burgh who are in the same league as Vale of Leven.

"Due to the fact we are in a higher league to them and also have home advantage, I think it is fair to say people will be expecting us to win the tie.

"And, just like Bo'ness and Haddington, it would definitely be a boost for the club if we can be among the 16 teams going into the draw for the next round."

Broxburn are the only other Lothians team in Scottish Cup action tomorrow, Steve Pittman's side facing Culter in a third-round replay at New Albyn Park after their goalless draw in the North-East last weekend. As Bonnyrigg bid to go all the way in this season's competition, the club is trying to get the players from the teams that reached the final on three previous occasions - 1966, 1972 and 1978 - together for an event to mark its 130th anniversary this year.

Ronnie Campbell and Willie Kelly, two members of the triumphant ‘78 team, now live in Australia but have indicated they'll be coming over for a dinner being held at Lasswade Rugby Club on Saturday, May 21.

"We've managed to make contact with most of the surviving players from the 1966 team - the exception being Duncan Henderson who now lives out in Ontario - but there are a few from the other two teams that we've lost contact with over the years," said organiser Bill Taylor.

Jim Leishman will be one of the guest speakers and John Robertson has also accepted an invitation to be there. Pat Stanton, a former Bonnyrigg player, has also been asked to attend.

Players from any of those teams who have not been contacted about the event are asked to contact Bill Taylor on 0131 663 7852 or by email [email protected]

"I don't think many people see us as a threat in the title race - but we are happy with that" ALAN MILLER