NOT knowing what to expect will be the biggest challenge awaiting St Roch's this season, according to boss Andy Cameron.

The famous old Glasgow club, recently crowned winners of the Evening Times Streets Ahead award for outstanding community work in the local Garngad area, also won promotion at the end of last season to the newly formed West Region Championship after finishing as Central District First Division runners-up to Rossvale.

And Cameron's side’s successful campaign has the ambitious gaffer keen for his players to be involved in the hunt for making yet another step up – but therein lies something of a conundrum.

He said: "Rossvale, Benburb and Neilston came up along with us so we relatively know all there is to know about their teams and the same can possibly be said about Larkhall Thistle who pipped us to promotion the previous year – although word has it new manager Derek Holmes facing a total rebuild.

“But that’s probably the extent of my knowledge so it’s fortunate my two able lieutenants Stevie Rankin and Gary Flint have resisted approaches from other clubs and are staying here.

“They are more steeped in the Juniors and are therefore more aware of what threat the early title tips Cumbernauld United and Rutherglen Glencairn are likely to offer but even they have only sketchy details about the seven-strong contingent of Ayrshire clubs among who are another couple of fancied sides in Darvel and Girvan.

“I think it’s fair to say we are facing several trips into the unknown but I’m confident we have the right mix of players to do well.”

The Candy Rock boss has not seen the need to overhaul his squad and has recruited only four newcomers to date – strikers Jordan Rennie (Royal Albert) and Michael McGarahan (Cumbernauld Colts) as well as midfielders Sean Viola (Springburn Thistle) and Anthony McGuigan (Partick Thistle Under-20).

Cameron added: “The most important thing for us was to retain the core of guys who did so well last time out and in that respect I’m delighted that such as John Stark, Tam Hanlon, Roberto Halliday, Ross Dickson, Paul Tierney, Rab McGuire and Kieran Daw have committed themselves for another campaign.

“Being able to draw on their great experience is a massive bonus, but we cannot lose sight of the need to supplement the older heads with some younger legs and it’s been pleasing to see how the players – old and new – have been evolving and gelling since we started back.”

St Roch's were undoubtedly one of the first clubs to put players through their pre-season training andsix sessions have already been completed ahead of a first taste of playing action today when a John Brogan steered Albion Rovers XI are the visitors to the James McGrory Stadium.

Cameron said: “Saturday’s contest is followed by us hosting St Anthony's on Monday night in the Mark Ritchie Memorial game and the two workouts should see us better prepared for next weekend’s two-day Petershill Tournament where we face Rob Roy.

“The plan is for everyone on the books to get a share of game time and afterwards we should have a good idea of what combinations work best."

Also playing tomorrow are Lanark United whose high-profile capture of marksman Ian Watt from Carluke Rovers has been followed by the signings of Craig Hughes (Whitletts Vics) and Joshua Grace (ex-Stenhousemuir).

All three players will be unveiled away to Mid-Annandale as Yowes gaffer Colin Slater looks to ready his side for their Clydesdale Cup semi-final tilt at home to his former club Carluke on Tuesday night.

The other semi-final encounter of Forth Wanderers v Lesmahagow goes ahead 24 hours earlier.