CUMNOCK boss John McKeown has certainly given Pollok counterpart and close friend Tony McInally food for thought ahead of their eagerly-awaited locking of horns in Saturday's third attempt at playing their Scottish Junior Cup clash.

Indeed, the cry almost went out for a revolving door to be fitted in the Townhead Park dressing room given Ruggie's apparent penchant for ringing the personnel changes ever since the teams came out of the hat together in the Evening Times staged the fourth-round draw back in the early throes of December.

Altogether a total of 10 players have come and gone, though it has to be said - five out and five in - is sheer coincidence rather than design, and one of that playing contingent, goalkeeper John Mullen, completed an each way journey at the weekend when he was loaned out to St Roch's just a matter of five weeks after moving to the Ayrshire giants from Blantyre Vics.

The Nock gaffer has wasted no time in fixing up Cumnock born and raised teenage shotstopper Robert McLatchie who can lay claim to having played a handful of first team games for Ayr United while he is indebted to the Senior outfit for loaning out youthful winger prospect Peter McGill as a replacement for jet paced striker Ryan Nisbet, recently recalled to Somerset Park by new Ayr boss Ian McColl.

And 18-year-old McGill might well have played himself into McKeown's selection thoughts for the eagerly awaited Newlandsfield showdown after netting a first-minute goal on his debut appearance - a 6-1 friendly match victory over Broomhouse Amateurs on Tuesday night - that also saw Kieron Downs (3), Paul Quinn and Owen Ronald on the scoresheet.

McKeown revealed: "Ryan had performed outstandingly well during his loan spell so it's a huge blow to lose him however it's pleasing to have Pedro on board as way of compensation as he looks to be a very skilful and tricky customer with bags of confidence in his own abilities.

"Taking on a friendly run out just days before our Scottish tie might be regarded as a gamble in some quarters but I felt it important for us to get players blowing hard and ticking over given we haven't played for a number of weeks.

"In that respect the exercise was really worthwhile and it was a major plus for us to escape without injuries of any consequence to leave everyone fit and available for Saturday barring the cup-tied Ryan Kennedy."

Turning to his goalkeeping situation McKeown added: "Ally Semple is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Juniors and it's extremely difficult to get a back-up for him as we discovered with John Mullen.

"He was used to playing regularly and we could not guarantee him game time so it was felt best for all parties if he achieved that aim with St Roch's.

"Robert is a youngster by comparison and he will receive a fantastic education through training alongside Ally as well as watching how he prepares for games and I've no fears about putting him between the sticks when the time is right."

Earlier today, Lok boss Macca similarly reported a clean bill of health while making light of the fact he had been unaware of the friendly encounter taking place.

He insisted: "Ruggie kept details under the radar to prevent us running the eye over his team but truth is we've already done our homework on Cumnock and reckon there are few surprises he can spring upon us at this juncture.

"The young lad McGill is clearly someone who falls into the unknown bracket, however it remains to be seen whether he will be thrown straight into a game of this importance.

"More likely he might find a place on the substitutes bench as I would hazard a guess John will set his Cumnock side up to keep things very tight particularly in the opening stages when the onus is on Pollok as the home team to make the running."

The Southside club's arch rivals Arthurlie are tipped to remain managerless heading into their fourth-round tie at home to Rob Roy even though club officials are thought to have concluded the interview process to unearth a replacement for Craig McEwan.

Getting more than a passing mention from terracing whispers are the names of ex-Glenafton boss Tommy Bryce and one-time Arthurlie and Pollok striker Robert Downs, currently at the helm of Central First Division leading lights Bellshill Athletic.