THE evidence continues to mount that Kilwinning Rangers will not be the Super Premier Division whipping boys in the coming season.

Gaining a place among the West Region elite via a Play-Off victory over Shettleston accompanied by the departure of outstanding frontman Ross Stewart, after he opted to step up into the Senior ranks with Albion Rovers, had even diehard Buffs supporters concerned their club’s stay in the top flight might be short-lived.

A perceived lack of summer transfer activity has only acted to fuel this particular fire, however last weekend’s battling 2-2 draw away to Largs Thistle in their Ardagh Glass Cup opener … recovering from 0-2 down … was a timely reminder that Chris Strain’s men will be nobody’s pushovers.

And there are signs of a sea change afoot in the Abbey Park dressing room after the ambitious gaffer confirmed further signings are in the offing to go along with the arrival of skilful midfielder Ryan Boyle on loan from Dumbarton.

He insisted: “Jordan Cairnie (Morton) had been our only recruit right up until last midweek when we added Grant Bolton (Irvine Meadow) and Graeme Barbour (Rob Roy).

“Bringing in Ryan further strengthens our playing hand and I’m also hopeful of enticing Dean Fulton to agree a loan deal from Stranraer after showing up well in the game against Largs Thistle.

“Talks are also continuing with defender Adam Hodge, recently released by Kilmarnock, however I would rate our chances of landing him as slim at best because a number of Senior clubs are on his case.

“The one-time Kilbirnie Ladeside midfielder Darren McLean is another player who featured down at Largs and we’ll continue to run the rule over him during training and games as well as one or two others who have come to our attention.

“There’s no shortage of signing options with players available right, left and centre, however the key is to make the right moves and try to ensure new signings are better than what we currently have on board.”

Next up for Kilwinning is a crunch Ardagh Glass Cup clash at home to Kilbirnie tonight and Strain expects his players to receive another testing examination of their purpose and character.

He insisted: “Kilbirnie lost 2-1 in their opening game to Beith and will be desperate to bounce right back and revive their qualification hopes so they will come at us with all guns blazing.

“We are looking to take the points ourselves but that won’t stop me from juggling with our squad in order to give game time to as many of the guys as possible before the Super Premier Division gets underway.

“Delaying our start to pre-season training has left players short of where they should be in terms of fitness and sharpness but I stand by the decision to give them a decent rest period after our very late finish to last season.”

Strong going Beith are fancied to rack up a second consecutive victory when hosting the visit of lowly Dalry Thistle while injury-ravaged Ardrossan Winton Rovers are set to be under the cosh at home to the Bryan Slaven steered Largs Thistle.

In other sectional games, cup holders Hurlford United can take a huge stride towards a last-eight spot with a win at home to Irvine Meadow and last season’s beaten finalists Troon will be looking to atone for last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Whitletts Vics when Maybole visit Portland Park.

Cumnock appear to have the necessary firepower to come good away to Kello Rovers while a meaty confrontation is on the menu at Loch Park where Glenafton and Auchinleck Talbot are locking horns.

Meanwhile, a “Testimonial Match” of sorts has been arranged for renowned St Anthony's duo James “Cotter” McKenna and Bernie “Dixie” Kilcullen on Sunday, August 28 (kick-off 2pm).

The former players and management team with nigh on over 50 years service to the famous old Govan club between them are set to feature in a game against a Select side comprising of former Senior and Junior players such as Alex Rae, Stevie Aitken, Jim Chapman, Alan Waddell and Stevie Farrell.

Tickets cost £5 and all proceeds will be donated to Cash For Kids.

PLAYING TONIGHT

(Kick-offs 7pm)

Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Section One: Larkhall Thistle v Lanark Utd, Royal Albert v Forth Wanderers.

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

Section Three: Shettleston v Bellshill Athletic, Thorniewood Utd v Petershill.

Section Four: East Kilbride Thistle v Blantyre Vics, Vale of Clyde v Cambuslang Rangers.

Section Five: Pollok v St Anthony's, Neilston v Benburb.

Section Six: Clydebank v Glasgow Perthshire, Maryhill v Ashfield.

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

Section Eight: Dunipace v Rob Roy, Kilsyth Rangers v Cumbernauld Utd.

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

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

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

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