SHETTLESTON co-bosses Peter Weatherson and Ryan McStay are refusing to rule out the possibility of making new signings despite declaring their delight with the Town’s current playing squad.

One-time Morton hitman Weatherson who is by far and away the Super First Division outfit’s top scorer this season took time out from preparations for today’s Greenfield Park head-to-head against Irvine Meadow to insist: “We are better placed today personnel wise than at any other time since our league campaign got underway with the entire pool of 20 players pushing for places in the team albeit Chris Kennedy may yet pull out because his wife is about to give birth.

“It speaks volumes when this will be the first time since Ryan and I arrived here that we will have guys not getting a strip and we will be sympathetic to their disappointment but if someone becomes available on the transfer market who we believe might benefit the team then it is incumbent upon us to try and bring them in.

“New faces at the turn of the year always tends to freshen things up but anyone coming on board needs to be able to hold down a place in the team as we are not looking to simply stack up the numbers.

“Neither are we in a position to offer lucrative contracts but we do promise to help develop players through the good habits acquired during our own careers and our current squad have certainly bought into this approach.”

The ex-Senior pair have been left deeply frustrated with a lack of suitable training facilities over the festive period that has curtailed planned work-outs and prevented Shettleston cramming in some friendly match practice.

The feted striker revealed: “We’ve put our trust in the players keeping themselves in shape for the most part because of training issues and we cannot praise their commitment enough.

“Ryan and I are under no illusions that Irvine Meadow are going to be tough opponents as they are a top side who have recovered from an inconsistent start to charge up the table and put themselves into the running for promotion.

“We need everyone playing at their best to stand any chance of picking up the points so it’s pleasing to think we are in decent fettle.”

The need to unearth a replacement for Weatherson, scorer of almost 70% of Shettleston’s goals this season, has clearly been paramount in the management duo’s thinking.

The 36-year-old reasoned: “We think it’s vital to have alternatives for every area of the pitch and to be fair we have a lot of faith in young Jamie Watson, our loan signing from Clyde, filling my boots if needs must.

“He was a very promising youngster when we first came across him at Annan Athletic and he could prove a real asset, however the worry is that Clyde will want him back when his loan deal expires at the end of this month.

“Otherwise we can look at promoting Rikky McIntosh further forward as he’s versatile enough to do us a turn but ideally we want another out and out goalscoring frontman to fill any void.”

The firepower available to league leaders Kilsyth Rangers looks a good bet to take the spoils at home to Maryhill while another intriguing clash of promotion chasing sides takes place through in Springburn where Petershill await the visit of Girvan.

And hoping to avoid dropping any further off the pace are managerless Clydebank, heading through to face Blantyre Vics in their first outing since the shock resignation of Budgie McGhie, with club chairman Gordon Robertson in the dugout assisted by the trio of Robert Tiropoulos, Scott Carson and Paul Mooney.

Cumbernauld United will have their former player Scott Murphy making his second time around debut when lining up against Shotts Bon Accord at Guys Meadow.

The seasoned midfielder was released at his own request by Gartcairn whose new manager Davie Greig has snapped up two of his former Blantyre Vics playing charges Lee McShane and Colin Marshall whose acquisitions will help plug a defensive gap going into today’s meeting with St Anthony's caused by a two-game suspension ruling out Kevin Ross on top of the departure of experienced stopper Ryan Kennedy who has been placed on the open to transfer list.

Greig is thought to have further signings in the pipeline but not experienced Shotts Bon Accord full-back Paul Burns who has opted to join Lanark United.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm)

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

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

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

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

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