ST ROCH'S look set to hit the ground running after an impressive pre-season build-up.

The Garngad club have been in superb form during an impressive six-game run against Junior and Amateur opposition which has brought six wins, 25 goals scored and only two conceded.

Their success-starved supporters are understandably euphoric and brimming over with optimism, however one man steadfastly refusing to get carried away with the Candy Rock’s rampant showings is boss Andy Cameron.

Ahead of their Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup opener against Bellshill tomorrow, he said: “Results are not the be-all and end-all of pre-season games, but I’d much prefer to be winning than losing.

“From the outset, our main objectives were to bed our new players in and also to lay down strong foundations for our Central First Division campaign, and I believe we have made great strides.

“The return of TJ McCluskey has brought added competition for the striking jerseys that is bringing out the best in young Jordan Logan, while Kenny Jarvis has certainly improved our midfield creativity, and there’s no doubting our backline has been stiffened with the arrival of Jason McCormack, so I have no hesitation in saying we are a stronger St Roch's side than last term.”

His players clinched promotion last time out on the back of a remarkable unbeaten run in league games, and Cameron says pride in this achievement only hit home this week as he honed preparations for the visit of Bellshill.

He added: “We have lost just once in 21 matches – a League Cup defeat by eventual trophy winners Thorniewood – but realistically we will find it extremely difficult to get through our section with this record intact.

“It doesn’t get much tougher than facing Petershill – the top Super Premier side among Central-based clubs – a promoted Shettleston, a promoted Bellshill and a cup-winning Thorniewood, but we’ll have a go and see where it gets us.

“I really don’t know what to expect from our first test against Bellshill, given all their summer changes, but you won’t get me making any predictions after my gaffe last season in thinking we were shaping up as if we could give a good account of ourselves just before a 10-2 thrashing."

He makes no secret of the fact his priority is on survival after winning promotion, something no St Roch's team has managed since 1979 when the likes of Stevie and Stan Rankin, Pat Fagan, Hughie Farrell and Mick Jamieson – father of Olympics swimmer Michael – wore the green jerseys with pride.

He insisted: “Fourth bottom of the table would be an achievement of sorts as it would indicate the club is capable of building for the future.

“The signs are already there with us holding on to our best players during the close season and there is also our Football Academy, which was a roaring success after being run through the summer months at the James McGrory Stadium.

“The people in the local community now have an affinity with St Roch's as shown by us having 103 season ticket holders and I am confident we will have 250-300 supporters at home games this season.

“Hopefully we can give them something to shout about … starting tomorrow afternoon.”

Meanwhile, Arthurlie releasing experienced midfielder Alan Muir on the eve of the new season is sure to attract the attention of managers throughout the West Region.

The 28-year-old former Pollok and Largs Thistle signing was a New Coin Holdings Cup winner with the Barrhead side last season, but was nevertheless delighted when his request for a free transfer was agreed by gaffer Robert Downs.

Johnstone-based ace Muir revealed: “My growing frustrations over struggling to command a regular place ever since picking up a bad knee injury a year and a bit ago have finally got to me.

“I worked my socks off over the summer months to get as fit as possible for trying to re-establish myself, but our early pre-season team selections hinted towards me being only a bit part player again and I cannot allow that to happen.

“Getting in as much game time as possible is a necessity and I will gladly step down a division or two to get my playing career back on an upward spiral.”

Muir’s release followed Arthurlie’s capture of former Beith, Cumnock and Scotland defender-cum-midfielder Stuart McDonald, thought likely to come straight into the reckoning for a starting jersey in tomorrow’s derby showdown at Pollok.

Meanwhile, someone with a foot in each side of the Nitshill divide – veteran campaigner Roland Fabiani – has made a surprise return on the playing front at the age of 43 after signing for Port Glasgow, for whom he is set to make his debut when Vale of Leven visit Parklea.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Section One: Kilwinning Rangers v Dalry Thistle, Largs Thistle v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Winton Rovers v Beith.

Section Two: Irvine Vics v Saltcoats Vics, Hurlford Utd v Darvel, Ardeer Thistle v Irvine Meadow.

Section Three: Troon v Girvan, Annbank Utd v Whitletts Vics, Craigmark v Maybole.

Section Four: Kello Rovers v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Glenafton, Cumnock v Auchinleck Talbot.

Euroscot Sectional League Cup. Section One: Larkhall Thistle v Royal Albert, Lesmahagow v Lanark Utd.

Section Two: Wishaw v Shotts Bon Accord, Gartcairn v Carluke Rovers.

Section Three: Shettleston v Thorniewood Utd, St Roch’s v Bellshill Athletic.

Section Four: Blantyre Vics v Cambuslang Rangers, East Kilbride Thistle v Rutherglen Glencairn.

Section Five: Pollok v Arthurlie, Neilston v St Anthony’s.

Section Six: Clydebank v Ashfield.

Section Seven: Renfrew v Johnstone Burgh, Port Glasgow v Vale of Leven.

Section Eight: Rossvale v Rob Roy, Cumbernauld Utd v Dunipace.