BEITH boss Johnny Millar is urging his players to be looking up rather than behind them in the Super Premier Division stakes.

The half-way point has been reached by every top-flight side except for the reigning Scottish Junior Cup holders whose current situation, having played just eight games, can be looked at through a glass either half full or half empty insofar as they are only four points better off than third bottom Troon yet just three points worse off than third top Pollok.

An unusual predicament even for Millar who has been around the block many times in his Junior career, so it’s not surprising he is refusing to take anything for granted ahead of leading his players through to face second-bottom Largs Thistle on Saturday.

“A lot of outsiders don’t seem to realise just how cut-throat the Super Premier is this season with every top-flight team capable of taking points off each other,” he said.

“Saturday is a case in point because I might be happy with how we are playing but that doesn’t translate into feeling confident of picking up three points when you consider Largs are one of the form sides and have clearly turned the corner by winning four of their last six league games.

“What is pleasing from Beith’s perspective is the likelihood of our game getting the thumbs-up on their astro-grass surface when bad weather elsewhere is forecast to cause a rash of postponements.

“Playing catch-up is never ideal and it would be good to make inroads but only if we can put points on the board at the same time, yet that’s easier said than done.”

Beith are in relatively good shape for the test against their near neighbours after the absences of David McGowan, Nikky Docherty and Thomas Collins compelled Millar to rotate his squad for last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Troon.

One time Hurlford United midfielder Calum Watt was introduced and netted a brace to stake a claim for a more regular starting jersey as did prolific hit-man Kenny McLean with a scoring appearance off the substitutes’ bench.

Millar said: “The other substitutes to get game time were Kevin McDonald and Joe Bradley so we’re certainly not lacking for strength in depth even if it gives me a bigger headache to have so many options.

“It didn’t get any easier this week after I thought the guys looked rusty in the early stages against Troon and arranged to play Darvel in a friendly match to give everyone some game time, because we ran out 6-1 winners with Collins helping himself to a hat-trick.

“The only downside is a hamstring strain injury that Mark McLaughlin picked up in the Troon game and we’re hopeful of him being passed fit for Largs; however we won’t gamble on his fitness given the Scottish Junior Cup tie with Auchinleck Talbot is only another week away.”

Millar refuses to talk up his side’s title hopes even though Beith are regarded as one of the leading contenders.

“In my mind ,we need to beat Largs and also turn our games in hand into points before I would be in any position to talk about league titles,” he said.

“Right now I’d say Glenafton are on a terrific winning run and looking very strong and powerful so they are going to take a bit of stopping while Auchinleck are always likely to catch fire and you would have to say Rob Roy are best placed of all in having the points on the board.

“Any of these teams could finish in top spot and I also have a feeling that everyone should be wary of Pollok coming up on the rails.”

On the transfer front comes word of Irvine Meadow putting ex-Darvel striker Greg Vernon up for sale at his own request.