Billy Ogilvie has endured a stuttering start since taking over as Arthurlie team manager but he remains unfazed.

The highly-regarded 56-year-old has faced a rash of weather-enforced postponements, restricting him to just four competitive games in his 10 weeks at the helm – Scottish Junior Cup wins over Lesmahagow and Coupar Angus plus Super Premier Division contests against Girvan (1-1) and Kilwinning Rangers (1-4).

Five weeks without playing are hardly ideal preparations for Saturday’s short hop to Newlandsfield for a clash with derby rivals Pollok but Ogilvie is undaunted.

“I had a very positive meeting with Arthurlie officials last week where we outlined plans for taking the club forward but it was interesting that the forthcoming clash with Pollok – my first derby – wasn’t even mentioned.

“But nobody needs to tell me about what this game means to our supporters and I’m hoping the players will serve up a display to make them proud.

“Bragging rights are at stake and I’ve experienced a touch of the rivalry myself over the past week due to the fact I live and work in Shawlands, the very heart of Pollok territory, and more than a few shouts in my direction have told me to expect a going over.

“Yet many of those same voices have taken to telling me to stay indoors on Saturday night if Arthurlie win so maybe my Pollok-supporting mates are not feeling quite as confident with kick-off time drawing near.

“I have watched a couple of their games this season and Tony McInally clearly has talented players so I can appreciate Pollok being rated favourites but I believe my guys are a match for anyone when they are in the mood.”

Arthurlie taking one point from a possible six to sit third from bottom in the table is not to the former Queen’s Park coach’s liking and he is desperate to improve their standing at the expense of long-standing foes Lok.

“Jordan Chisholm returns from a holiday abroad today and will come into our thoughts if he can show he’s ready and our only other concern is a knock troubling Marc McKenzie but he’s the type of character who wants to play in every game so I think he’ll make it,” he said.

“Everyone else is fit and raring to go, including our two ex-Pollok players Michael Daly and Kieran McAleenan who are keen to do well against their former team as you might imagine.”

Pollok are forced into making defensive changes to the line-up that ran out 5-0 winners over Glasgow Perthshire in their last outing.

Full-back Grant Evans begins a four-game suspension while central defensive stalwart Martin McGoldrick’s decision to take up a job offer in Dubai will see him fly out on Saturday morning.

Lok boss McInally said: “It’s a big wrench to lose him but this is a life-changing opportunity for Martin and he goes with the best wishes from everyone at Pollok Football Club.

“His departure along with Grant’s ban forces us into a reshuffle but we have players ready to step into their shoes and

desperate to lay down a marker, though not Colin Williamson who is awaiting a further scan to try to discover the full extent of his groin problem.

“We gave the players a week off during the festive period but they are now back training and showing a lot of energy and hunger which is not a bad thing going into a game against our biggest rivals.”

Arthurlie’s need for points is matched by fourth-bottom Hurlford United, who face a test of their own in hosting the visit of league leaders Kilwinning Rangers, while nerves are sure to be jangling in the Townhead Park clash of bottom pair Cumnock and Clydebank which has the Ayrshiremen seeking to avenge the 2-0 defeat suffered at Holm Park earlier this season.