JOHNSTONE Burgh manager Jamie McKim revealed he will always give youth a chance as his young guns helped his side into the second round of the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday.

The Keanie Park side secured a 9-3 victory over Knightswood with Jojo Gillespie and Ally Small netting hat-tricks for Burgh while a Kieran Brophy brace and a Jason Naismith header rounded off the scoring.

McKim handed game time to Brodie O’Neill and Gregor McKeon from the club’s under-20s side on Saturday and he believes the duo have bags of potential.

He told Gazette Sport: “In the forward area, we showed a real clinical side which I feel we have been missing in the first part of the season – we still could have had more on Saturday but scoring nine goals it’s hard to complain too much.

“At the other side of the park, conceding three goals is really disappointing. Part of that does come because I make changes to the team and you expect that, but I was still disappointed.

“We’re not just involving the 20s’ boys as token gestures – both Brodie and Gregor have worked really hard over the last few months.

“They were two of the stronger players in the development team last season and they have carried that on into this season.

“They have merited an opportunity and they got half-an-hour on Saturday and had a positive impact with assists and dangerous crosses.

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“For where we are as a club, it’s alright saying that you want to bring in experienced players but you always want to make your own as well and they both have a real chance.”

Cup football continues this weekend as Burgh host University of Stirling in an intriguing third-round South Challenge Cup clash at Keanie Park.

Uni finished fourth in the Lowland League last season and made it to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, where they were beaten 3-0 by Dundee United.

McKim knows that it might just be the toughest test yet for Burgh but is hoping his side can teach the students a lesson.

He told the Gazette: “I’ve seen a lot of Stirling Uni and they are a very good side.

“They are fit, young, aggressive, physical and technically good at football so they have everything you need.

“We’re on good form ourselves and still gelling as a team. There’s a steady improvement week after week so hopefully we can carry that into this weekend and get another positive result.”

Kick-off at Keanie Park on Saturday is at 2pm.