Alex Cassells is looking like he might emerge as the player to lead Petershill’s charge for Super First Division title honours this season…and he’s only 18 years of age.

Asking such young shoulders to bear the weight of expectations would be a massive mistake and one that his seasoned Peasy mentors Willie Patterson and Paul Kelly are unlikely to make, however there can be no denying Cassells has the look of a precocious talent.

It would be difficult to say otherwise after he was the tormentor-in-chief when the Springburn outfit kicked off their league campaign on Saturday with a 6-0 hammering of city rivals Maryhill.

The midfield ace helped himself to three of his side’s goals in serving up an energetic and skilful display that drew plaudits from none other than opposing gaffer Jim Delaney.

He said: "We simply couldn’t pin down the lad Cassells whose running with the ball at pace caused us no end of problems and he was a bit special on the day.”

Passing on those praiseworthy comments appeared to embarrass the teenage midfielder, who responded in best unassuming fashion by saying: "It’s pleasing to hear people think I played well, but hopefully there is better to come once myself and all the other new signings at Petershill get to know each other’s playing styles .

“I’m one of 12 newcomers to arrive at the club during the summer and the competition for jerseys is intense to say the least, so I’m concentrating on nothing more than trying to hold down a regular place in the team.

“Scoring my first goals as a Petershill player on Saturday was a great feeling after previously failing to get off the mark in our Exsel Cup section games.

"I enjoy getting myself into scoring positions as I had a lot of joy at Rossvale playing just behind twin strikers or cutting inside from out on the right flank.

“Willie and Paul prefer me in the wider role just now and encourage me to go past players and deliver early crosses into the box which I’m only too willing to do if it’s for the good of the team.”

Cassells whose father - also Alex- was a former Ashfield team-mate of Patterson's, initially caught the eye coming up through the Rossvale Boys Club ranks.

He was snapped up by Falkirk Youths, but they delayed offering him a contract allowing Partick Thistle to move in and sign the young prospect as a full-time professional.

A fairly uneventful season spent at Firhill led to Cassells initially going out on loan to Rossvale Juniors before making his move permanent during Martin Lauchlan’s time at the helm.

He added: "I would gladly have remained at Rossvale, but Willie and Paul asking me to join Petershill presented a great opportunity to step up and test myself at a higher league level which was too tempting to turn down.

“Super First Division sides are more organised and make fewer mistakes defensively as well as being more physical so I’m working on making myself stronger to meet the challenges coming my way.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying my time at Petershill and would love to play a part in getting us back into the Super Premier Division.”

Peasy boss Patterson said: "Alex has started the season well, but he has a lot to learn at 18 years of age and I would describe him as work in progress.

“But I can understand the attention he attracts because on his game he is an exciting player for our supporters on top of having a knack for scoring goals.”

On the transfer front comes word of Hurlford United snapping up ex-Kilmarnock and Ayr United defender Adam Hodge while Ayrshire rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside have completed the signing of midfielder Liam Gormley, who has been playing as a Blasties trialist in recent outings.

Gormley, whose last known club was Lowland League outfit East Kilbride had previously played with Queen's Park and Morton.

And making a return to one of his former clubs is experienced midfielder Ryan McCardle who has put pen to paper for Rutherglen Glencairn and figured as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Renfrew.

PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick-offs 6.30pm): Exsel Group Cup. Semi Finals. Shettleston v Wishaw, Rob Roy v Pollok. Ardagh Glass Cup. Semi Finals. Kilbirnie Ladeside v Cumnock, Auchinleck Talbot v Beith.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3 (Kick-offs 2pm): Scottish Cup. Preliminary Round Two. Beith v Auchinleck Talbot, Colville Park A.F.C. v Girvan, Threave Rovers v Linlithgow Rose, Banks O’Dee v Golspie Sutherland, Bonnyrigg Rose v Burntisland Shipyard.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Pollok v Troon, Cumnock v Rob Roy, Kilwinning Rangers v Glenafton, Largs Thistle v Hurlford Utd, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Cumbernauld Utd v Yoker Athletic, Renfrew v Irvine Meadow, Clydebank v Shotts Bon Accord, Yoker Athletic v Irvine Vics, Shettleston v Rutherglen Glencairn, Irvine Vics v Blantyre Vics, Maryhill v Kilsyth Rangers, Irvine Meadow v Renfrew.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Forth v Thorniewood Utd, Larkhall Thistle v Neilston, Rossvale v Lesmahagow, Cambuslang Rangers v Greenock, Vale of Clyde v Bellshill Athletic, Wishaw v Johnstone Burgh, St Roch's v Benburb

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Port Glasgow v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Carluke Rovers, Newmains Utd v St Anthony's, Gartcairn v Dunipace, Vale of Leven v Ashfield, Glasgow Perthshire v Royal Albert. McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Whitletts Vics v Annbank Utd ,Saltcoats Vics v Lugar Boswell, Ardeer Thistle v Maybole, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Craigmark, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle.