DAVID GREIG is first to admit that his Blantyre Vics side’s results to date … two wins from seven games … are hardly likely to have opponents quaking in their boots.

But the always positive thinking team boss still insists his playing charges are in fine fettle ahead of the Lanarkshire club’s first-ever Superleague contest at home to Rutherglen Glencairn today.

A quirk of the West Region fixture list saw the Vics round of their Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup games with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Glens last weekend, but Greggy is not in the slightest perturbed about taking on the same foes again.

Earlier today he reasoned: “I was fearing the worst when we went 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes but the guys showed great character to get themselves back on to level terms and I was not too disappointed at Glencairn grabbing a winning goal they possibly deserved on the day.

“Going down by the odd goal in five was not too bad an outcome when you consider both Ryan McGarry and Colin Marshall were suspended on top of us having fully four key players posted missing through injuries – David Green, Brian McLaughlin, Craig Smith, as well as our club captain Terry Hewitt.

“And pressing family commitments ruled out Graham Watson and Stevie Dymock so it’s plain to see we are undoubtedly going to be a lot stronger for having more bodies to choose from going into today’s Castle Park contest.

“None of the injured quartet have managed to train this week, however a couple of them are close to declaring themselves fit and that would provide a massive boost in itself as I would love for us to lay down a marker to kickstart our Super First Division campaign.

“As many as seven new teams are in the league and nobody can say for certain how things will pan out, however I am assured that the margins between success and failure are very fine with three wins on the trot making you a title challenger while three defeats marks you as a relegation candidate .”

By his own admission, the close season departures of attack-minded quartet David Galt (Queen's Park) Davie Kirkwood (Glasgow Perthshire) Fraser Malcolm (retired) and Brian Caldwell (Lanark Utd) have caused the Vics gaffer some sleepless nights mulling over replacement options.

He insisted: “Finding the same quality and experience has been anything but straightforward and I say that even though young Ryan Tiffney has come on board and managed to net a couple of goals up to now which might just give him the confidence to kick on.

“Smiddy’s injury has also been a bit of a body-blow but thankfully Dymock’s fitness levels are improving with every passing week because we have become very reliant on Wasso Ferguson whom we will most probably ask to get through another 90 minus tomorrow despite the fact he is still getting back to his best after a four-month injury absence.”

Greig reflected on the cause of his side’s stuttering start to the new season in saying: “There’s no doubt in my mind that we are suffering a hangover from last season and in particular our playing must-win games right through to the middle of June.

“The physical toll on the players is reflected by the number of knocks and strains being picked up and I cannot wait to get what might be considered my best starting XI out on the pitch.

“ Probably the closest we came was in winning 8-1 against Cambuslang Rangers so that in itself is encouraging.”

Relegated pair Clydebank and Cumnock, fancied by bookmakers to be strong title contenders, face difficult starters of their own with the Bankies heading into Ayrshire to face Ardrossan Winton Rovers whose skipper and top marksman Ryan Caddis is free from suspension.

And the John McKeown-steered Nock will not have things their own way down at Ravenscraig Stadium where Greenock will be determined to atone for their Euroscot Eng Cup elimination by Vale of Clyde in midweek.

The remaining relegated outfit Shotts Bon Accord make the long hike to face Largs Thistle in a Barrfields head-to-head which sees Largs gaffer Brian Slavin locking dugout horns his former Auchinleck Talbot gaffer Tam McDonald.

Among the remaining Super First newcomers, Kilwinning Rangers, will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the season with a win away to Yoker Athletic, while Bellshill Athletic are likewise on the road to meet Kilsyth Rangers.

Cumbernauld United, whose manager John Queen is still trying to patch and mend after a series of close-season signing raids led to the Guys Meadow side being stripped of many key players, host the visit of shock troops Maybole.

TODAY'S FOXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

West Region Super Premier Division: Kilbirnie Ladeside v Hurlford Utd, Auchinleck Talbot v Shettleston, Glenafton v Rob Roy, Pollok v Troon, Irvine Meadow v Arthurlie, Beith v Petershill.

West Region Super First Division: Cumbernauld Utd v Maybole, Winton Rovers v Clydebank, Kilsyth Rangers v Bellshill Athletic, Blantyre Vics v Rutherglen Glencairn, Greenock v Cumnock, Yoker v Kilwinning Rangers, Largs Thistle v Shotts Bon Accord.

West Region Central First Division: Neilston v Maryhill, Renfrew v Dunipace, Vale of Clyde v Johnstone Burgh, Carluke Rovers v St Anthony's, St Roch's v Wishaw, Lesmahagow v Thorniewood Utd, Rossvale v Larkhall Thistle.

West Region Central Second Division: Royal Albert v Ashfield, Port Glasgow v Benburb, Lanark Utd v East Kilbride Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Newmains Utd, Glasgow Perthshire v Forth, Vale of Leven v Gartcairn.

West Region Ayrshire District Division: Craigmark v Dalry Thistle, Lugar Boswell v Girvan, Muirkirk v Darvel, Kello Rovers v Saltcoats Vics, Annbank Utd v Irvine Vics, Ardeer Thistle v Whitletts Vics.