Sunday best for Rob Roy boss

Maxwell's side take on Shettleston in the final showdown at Cambuslang Rangers' Sommervell Park this Sunday.

In the past the final has been played on a midweek night, but the move to a weekend - and a chance to attract a bumper crowd with no other junior games in opposition - has met with the approval of the Rabs boss.

He said: "I’m not a great fan of the way a lot of things are done in the West Region but moving this game to a Sunday is one of the best things they have done.

"I’ve played in past finals of this competition on a Monday night which is just ridiculous. But I think that with no other games on more neutrals will turn out for this match and hopefully put a few more on the gate which will all add to the occasion.”

Maxwell - whose side have a perfect record of 10 league and cup wins out of 10 this season - has been pleased with the way preparations for Sunday’s final have been going.

The Super League Premier pacesetters had a useful run out against senior Championship side Dumbarton last week and were also hoping to arrange a game with Cumbernauld United this week to hone their preparations.

Maxwell said: “Everything’s been ticking along nicely.

“We played a strong Dumbarton side in a friendly on Tuesday and although we lost 2-1 we played really well.

“With no game last weekend we gave the players time off to spend with their families but we’re looking to perhaps arrange a friendly with Cumbernauld on Wednesday just to give everybody 45 minutes and keep them ticking over.

"We'll get together on Saturday morning for a light session and then sit down to go through a few things for Sunday.

"Then in the afternoon myself and some of the players will go into the town centre for some promotional work and hand out leaflets for the cup final.

"There's no doubt being in a cup final and have the chance to win a first cup in 43 years has captivated people and hopefully we'll get a big support on Sunday.

"To win the cup would be terrific for so many people connected with the club - the committee members, the fans, all the people who work behind the scenes. For the players it would be a massive boost to their confidence to take into the rest of the season.

"It's been a difficult period for the club, selling the ground and them having to share with Cumbernauld while they wait for the new community facility they are trying to create to be completed.

"The league always determines the best team over the course of a season but there's always a great buzz about a cup final.

"It's an occasion everyone can enjoy, although for the players they have to make sure they concentrate on the football side of things and that the occasion doesn't pass them by.

But if playing in a cup final can't motivate therm to peforrm then nothing will."