CLYDEBANK boss Budgie McGhie is hardly likely to underestimate the inspirational qualities of his Largs Thistle counterpart Bryan Slavin.

He’s seen it up close for himself in numerous clashes against Auchinleck Talbot sides skippered by Slavin during the former midfield battler’s playing career so he is warning his players to be prepared for an exacting 90 minutes when the Bankies head down to Barrfields on Saturday for a Super First Division top- of-the-table encounter.

Budgie revealed: “Bryan was an out and out leader as a player who demanded a lot from people around him and I just cannot see him being any different as a manager.

“In fact I held his qualities in such high regard that I did my utmost to sign him when his Talbot days were coming to an end only for him to decide on following a different path.

“However I’m not in the slightest bit surprised to see him and another out and out winner Arnie Davidson doing so well in dugout roles.

“Largs Thistle’s results have been excellent of late particularly in the league where they stand alone as the only club boasting a 100% record and I put that down to Bryan’s ultra-competitive mentality rubbing off on his players.

“And his influence is even greater since he opted to pull on the boots again to fill various defensive positions during his side’s recent outings.

”He’s always been a great talker so you can bet the Largs players will be made aware when they get things right … and wrong.”

Budgie’s avowed admiration for Theesel striking duo James Marks and Alan Frizzell as well as tall centre-back Creag Little has him tipping the Ayrshiremen to figure as one of the main Super First Division title challengers this season.

He added ,” This time of the year is all about jockeying for position and you can take it as read that nothing will be decided until next May but it’s hard not to think Largs will be there or thereabouts when it comes to the final reckoning .

“Bryan taking up the reins led to them finishing last season’s campaign like a steam train and they have started away in similar vein this time out and are proving to be difficult to play against both individually and collectively.

“And Bryan never misses an opportunity to make strengthening moves as he demonstrated last midweek in snapping up left-sided midfielder Gary Philips … a very skilful type who was a team-mate of his at Talbot prior to stepping up Senior with Albion Rovers.

“It’s been a couple of seasons since our teams last met and both playing squads have changed considerably in the interim but picking up points at Barrfields was not easy back then and I don’t imagine anything is different in that respect.”

Clydebank’s 4-2 New Coin Holdings Cup win over Rutherglen Glencairn last weekend came at a cost with both Mark Burbridge and Robert O’Neil picking up knocks which has them rated extremely doubtful for the 1st v 3rd contest.

And the visitors’ injury woes don’t end there as striker Derek Carcary’s long-term ankle problem renders him a definite non-starter while it will be later this week before Budgie knows if hitman Joel Kasabundi, Hashim Cole, Robbie Halliday and Scott Jackson can be included in his selection thoughts.

The gaffer revealed: “We have a lot of competition for places and nobody wants to drop out for fear of not getting back in the frame, but that can sometimes lead to the younger lads trying to play through injuries.

“Taking that approach is not in their best interests or the team’s and it needs the message to sinks in that the league is a marathon and not a sprint.

“Neither is any title race likely to be confined to 2/3 teams as one or two pundits have implied recently and you only have to look at Cumbernauld United who have come with a run after two opening defeats to sit fourth top.

“Yoker Athletic ended our 100% record and are no slouches while there are also emerging signs of Cumnock getting their act together.”

Something clearly has to give on Saturday when Cumbernauld host the visit of Cumnock while the Steph Reilly-steered Yoker will not find it easy to get back to winning ways when second top of the standings Kilsyth Rangers visit Holm Park.

Bottom markers Bellshill Athletic may find points hard to come by at home to strong going Kilwinning Rangers, however Rutherglen Glencairn will be hoping to return unscathed from their long trek to face Maybole.

And there’s everything to play for at Castle Park where struggling pair Blantyre Vics and Shotts Bon Accord lock horns in an all-Lanarkshire affair.