NOT too many eyebrows will be raised by the revelation that player-manager Steff Reilly is champing at the bit to lead his Yoker Athletic players into Scottish Junior Cup action against Pollok on Saturday.

It marks a return to one of his former haunts for Steff, who was on the Newlandsfield books for a two-year stint.

During that time he played under four managers - John Richardson, Stevie Docherty, Rab Sneddon and Tony McInally.

The seasoned campaigner said: "Injuries severely limited my appearances when Tony took up the reins so it was no real surprise when he then never offered me a new contract, however I’ve no axe to grind with him or anyone else at Pollok.

“In fact, the very opposite is closer to the truth as he’s been a great help to me ever since I moved into the manager’s chair at Holm Park and it will be great to meet up with him and his backroom team again.

“My itching to go back there is more a case of me looking forward to seeing how our young side cope with running out onto arguably the biggest Junior stage around and most probably in front of one of the biggest crowd of the day.

“The atmosphere is sure to be electric and our guys are relishing the prospect so I cannot wait to see if a game of this magnitude can bring out the best in the likes of Shaun Kelly, Richard Henry and Darren Jones.”

Centre-back Steff gave a strong hint that he and assistant Whe Ho boss Martin Hardie (ex-Partick Thistle and Dunfermline among others) could feature in the second round showdown.

He added: “Experience is essential going up against teams of Pollok’s stature and my time at Newlandsfield could work to our advantage now that I am fully recovered from a calf muscle strain and able to slot in alongside John Harvey if required.

“Nobody needs to remind me how the high expectations among the home supporters piles added pressure on the Pollok players .

“Martin is in decent fettle after getting 90 minutes playing time during a 2-1 midweek friendly defeat by Port Glasgow that turned farcical due to our two goalkeepers having to pull out after Craig Winslow’s knee injury saw him rested only for Liam Campbell to damage his finger during our warm-up.

“Thankfully both keepers look like being passed fit for Saturday and another boost to confidence comes from Gary Arbuckle training this week and declaring himself available for selection.”

A bitter blow to Yoker hopes of pulling off a cup upset comes from Reilly revealing talented winger Greg Maitland is a definite non-starter while midfield playmaker Mark Maxwell is rated doubtful on account of a hamstring strain.

The gaffer said: "So many big things were expected of Greg this season yet he’s hardly kicked a ball for us.

“First up, he was bothered by a debilitating groin strain which was only aggravated by him trying to play through it and he then suffered badly damaged ankle ligaments on his return to action in the West of Scotland Cup game against Kilwinning Rangers.

“He’ll be a big loss against Pollok and I say that even though Mark McManus has done very well filling in for Greg who is unlikely to be fit for at least a month.

“Our depleted state is a concern and maybe explains why the former Shettleston midfielder Kenny Marshall is in training with us and he could well be signed up before we head for the Southside of the city.”

Lok boss McInally admitted to having Yoker watched last Saturday in a 2-0 defeat by Kilsyth Rangers, but is refusing to take heart from their total lack of clean sheets from 11 competitive games this season.

Macca said: "Steff knows the game and has recent insider knowledge of this club and that is a combination that could spell danger for us if we are not totally focused on the job in hand.”

Elsewhere, newly crowned Euroscot Eng Cup kings Petershill have plans to host what promises to be a highly-entertaining Sportsman’s Lunch on Sunday, November 1 (1.30pm), at the New Petershill Sports Complex.

A three-course meal is set to be followed by popular comedian Joe Camay compering events centred around highly regarded after dinner speakers Donald Finlay Q.C. and retired referee Brian McGinlay. Players, past and present will be in attendance and Petershill are hoping other Junior clubs from in and around Glasgow will help populate the event for which tickets costing £30 are available from leading club officials.