TRANENT Juniors manager Gary Small is relishing the visit of 11-time winners and reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The county club were drawn against the Ayrshire giants on Tuesday afternoon, and manager Small told Courier Sport he was “absolutely delighted” to be welcoming Talbot to Foresters Park.

He said: “You don’t expect to get the holders in the second round but I’ve said before the most important thing was to get a home draw.

“We’ve spoken about giving back to the community and there won’t have been many days like this for Tranent in the last few years, so hopefully we can get a big crowd along too.”

The Ayrshire giants are the most successful club in the competition’s history, and recorded their record-extending 11th success against Musselburgh Athletic in June.

Darren Smith, now the Tranent skipper, was among the Burgh side that afternoon, and he is looking forward to the challenge.

He told Courier Sport: “If you want to win things, you’ve got to beat the best teams, and Auchinleck are the best.

“It will be a really good day for us, we’ve got a lot of young boys who might not have played in such a big game.”

Tranent are currently top of the South Division, but manager Small knows his side will be massive underdogs when Auchinleck come calling.

He said: “We’re under no illusions as to how hard it’ll be. I’ll go through and watch them, or we’ll get them watched before we play them.

“We’ll do our homework and I’ll chat with the players and explain what’s expected of them.”

Smith, 35, added: “We’ll have to be at our very best to have a chance, and we’re probably relying on them having an off day, too.

“You don’t win the cup that many times not being a really good side.”

The tie is likely to be played a week later than the other second-round matches, with Talbot in the senior Scottish Cup on October 24.

Small admitted he is hoping for “a massive gate” for the clash.

“I’ve just had a look and Hibs play Rangers on the Sunday, and Hearts are away from home, so we might even get some Hibs and Hearts fans along,” he said.

“It will be a great day and it’s a chance for the community to get along and support us.”

Meanwhile, Dunbar United have their own glamour tie against West Region giants to look forward to.

The Seasiders have been drawn at home to Irvine Meadow, traditionally one of the strongest clubs in Scottish junior football.

But Dunbar boss Geoff Jones believes his side have “nothing to lose” when the two teams do battle at New Countess Park.

He told Courier Sport: “My initial reaction was one of great excitement and, although I haven’t seen the players yet, I hope they feel the same.

“These games are the reason we all make personal sacrifices and why players give up their time to travel to training twice a week with the dedication to work hard and improve.

“I’m delighted the game is at home and I hope we can drum up some publicity and get a big, noisy crowd through the gates.”

And last season’s runners-up are also at home, with Musselburgh Athletic welcoming Johnstone Burgh to Olive Bank.

Those ties will kick-off at 2.30pm on October 24.