There’s still a week and a bit to go until the stockings are hung up, but that hasn’t stopped Kilsyth Rangers giving their supporters an early Christmas present with the signing of seasoned hitman Ian Diack.

Outsiders may not think it an inspired choice for the highest scoring Superleague team in West Region circles to go out and boost their striking options.

However, Joe Barclay’s continuing absence from his title challenging side’s dressing room persuaded team boss Keith Hogg to move for Diack after he became available.

The 36-year-old frontman had hitherto been on the books of East Region outfit Sauchie Juniors for whom he had netted 14 goals this season operating in a player/coach capacity.

However, a change in his work commitments left him with no option other than to seek a move to a club closer to his Cumbernauld home.

And now Duncansfield is to be the latest staging point for the feted ex-Senior ace, whose arrival on the Junior scene in 2011 has seen him turn out with Pollok, Rob Roy, Pollok (again), Linlithgow Rose, Kilbirnie Ladeside and Sauchie.

He said: "I was enjoying my dual role at Sauchie but then my work commitments changed to the extent I was having to leave training sessions early to get back in time for night-shift and that situation was far from ideal .

“It felt as if I was short-changing the gaffer Fraser Duncan so we talked things over and decided it was for the best if I moved away and tried to get myself a club nearer to my home in Cumbernauld.

“I did speak with local Junior sides and Cumbernauld Colts from the Lowland League but there was only one place I was going once Kilsyth declared an interest as they are a club on the up and like Sauchie are in contention for their league title.

“Another persuasion was the fact I am close friends with Kevin McBride as well as Mark Tyrell who is a former team-mate of mine with Linlithgow Rose, Stirling Albion and Stenhousemuir.

“They sold me on the club and I was more than happy to move there even though their current strikeforce of Paul McBride and Scott Davidson have formed a very good partnership and are a major factor in Kilsyth going so well this season..

“Their goalscoring form has restricted me to token substitute appearances in the two games since coming here but I’m not in the least bit downhearted and my aim is to impress whenever the opportunity comes and try to stake a claim for a regular jersey.

“Getting off the mark with a goal in the local derby win against Cumbernauld United has endeared me to the supporters and I’m already feeling really settled and looking forward to coming up against a lot of top teams at Super First Division level.

“Clydebank away from home tomorrow is a massive game for both clubs and hopefully we can come out on top and finish the year atop the table and ahead of Shettleston whose side includes my former Morton strike partner Peter Weatherson, who I’m not in the least bit surprised to hear is scoring goals for fun in the Juniors.

“Peter and I teamed up together at Cappielow and we had to be playing at the very top of our game to keep our places in the team given the likes of Alex Williams, Jason Walker and the Beith striker Kenny McLean were also vying for the forward line places .

“It will be good to meet with Peter again when our teams to head to head but that all on the back burner until after our tough test against Clydebank.”

Kilsyth team boss Keith Hogg justified his latest acquisition in saying , “ Joe Barclay’s commitments have left him unable to commit to Junior football for the time being and I have been looking around for a suitable replacement.

“All my Christmas wishes came true at once when big Dyers became available and bringing in a player of his quality and background is great for dressing room morale and for letting supporters know we are serious about challenging for the game’s big prizes.

“Unfortunately he’s cup-tied and unable to play in our tie against Bonnyrigg Rose however the very fact he will be adding competition for the jerseys to Scott and Paul can only be good for the team ,

“It’s only fair to say they were delighted with him coming on board and the only person with a problem is myself …as I now have a major selection headache.”

PLAYING TOMORROW : (Kick-offs 1.45pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Beith v Arthurlie, Rob Roy v Cumnock, Troon v Auchinleck Talbot Glenafton v Kilwinning Rangers , Kilbirnie Ladeside v Hurlford Utd, Pollok v Largs Thistle.

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

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

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Port Glasgow, Glasgow Perthshire.v Gartcairn, Lanark Utd v East Kilbride Thistle, Vale of Leven v Dunipace, St Anthony's v Ashfield, Carluke Rovers v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Kello Rovers v Annbank Utd , Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Saltcoats Vics, Dalry Thistle v Lugar Boswell, Whitletts Vics v Muirkirk, Craigmark v Darvel, Maybole v Ardeer Thistle.