HAVING several fancied clubs looking as though they will decline a place in the Central First Division promotion title race has opened the door for Cambuslang Rangers to enter the running…and boy have Paul McColl’s men grasped their opportunity with both hands.

Wishaw, St Roch's, Rossvale and relegated duo Greenock and Bellshill Athletic were being openly tipped as title contenders when the season got underway in August and pundits also reckoned the Wee Gers could be involved in a fight for survival at best.

But the Somervell Park outfit have confounded their critics with an unbelievable scoring spree of 46 goals in 11 league matches and are currently occupying pole position…some six points ahead of nearest challengers St Roch's.

That 1-0 reverse by the Candy Rock signifies the only points dropped by Cambuslang to date and their response to this hiccup has been to reel off seven league wins on the spin in a run which they hope to extend when travelling through to the Glasgow Southside to face Benburb tomorrow.

The quiet spoken McColl is not taking things for granted and is urging his playing charges to adopt a similar approach at New Tinto Park.

He insisted: “The Bens are one of the better teams at this level and the very fact they inflicted St Rochs’ only defeat to date is an indication of how they can raise their game so I’ve warned the guys to expect a testing time of it.

“We will need to be on our guard particularly from a defensive stance as their striker Ryan Livingston who was out on trial with Dundee earlier this season is a real danger in and around the penalty area .

“Hopefully we can keep his gas at a peep but without blunting our own attacking options which are exciting to watch and averaging four goals a game.”

Asked why the third best promoted Second Division side from last season have enjoyed such a storming campaign evoked a unassuming response.

He added: “I think the addition of quality players like the ex-Glenafton defender Jamie Hay and one-time Celtic signing Liam Gormley have made a huge difference to the mood in our camp.

“And our confidence should be even higher now that Allessandro Savarese has recovered from his broken ankle injury and is finding the net again.

“He has been a revelation since stepping up to the Juniors and his potential is only bettered by his own team-mate Dale Simeone who in my opinion is the best young player going the rounds at this level of the game .

“Dale is only 20 years of age and his hat-trick in last Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Neilston takes him onto the 15-goal mark for the season yet you won’t hear him shouting about his exploits as he is a young man who just wants to keep improving as a player.

“He has more than filled the gap left by Bob Davidson having to take time away from the game due to work commitments and I’ll be surprised if Dale is not already on the radar of a number of Senior clubs.”

McColl, who has completed the sale of experienced midfielder Colin Boylan to Lesmahagow, has moved quickly to strengthen his own playing hand with the signing of versatile ace James Brown from Cumbernauld United whom supporters may get to see if he makes a debut appearance against Benburb.

Meanwhile, making waves in the Second Division are Carluke Rovers showing signs of a recovery after picking up just one victory in their opening five league outings and looking a good bet to record a fifth win on the trot away to Lanarkshire near neighbours Newmains United tomorrow.

Team boss Colin Slater revealed: “Having key personnel missing for a number of weeks at the start of the season hit us hard and heads were down because of results.

“Things stared to turn round when players became available again to provide competition for the jerseys and we quite honestly haven’t looked back since and are playing some exceptional football.

“Ian Watt and Greg Fernie have formed a terrific striking partnership while Mark Haddow has taken over the captain’s armband since Stevie Murray’s injury and has relished the added responsibility by serving up some great displays.

“But the whole place has received a lift following a heart to heart talk and the attitude and training ground efforts of each and every player has been nothing short of exemplary.

“That’s why we are coming back to the fore and hopefully we can continue on a similar vein at Newmains who are sitting bottom of the table but will be afforded the same respect as if they were top dogs.

“They have a manager in Kevin Muirhead with extensive contacts and you can bet he will be tapping into them to improve his lot.”

TODAY’S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup Third Round Replays (1.30pm): Culter v East Kilbride Thistle, Bonnyrigg Rose v Thorniewood Utd, Greenock v Stonehaven.

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

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

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

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Ashfield v Port Glasgow, Gartcairn v Royal Albert, Glasgow Perthshire v Lanark Utd, Dunipace v St Anthony’s, Newmains Utd v Carluke Rovers.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Maybole v Kello Rovers, Muirkirk v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Whitletts Vics, Annbank Utd v Craigmark, Darvel v Dalry Thistle.