AUCHINLECK TALBOT manager Tommy Sloan has warned his players their Super Premier Division Champions tag will count for nothing when they run out to face Pollok at Beechwood Park tomorrow.

And speaking as someone who relished a challenge in his own playing days, Tucker insists the Ayrshire kingpins are seen as “targets to be beaten” by their top-flight rivals from the Glasgow Southside.

“Past achievements are of little consequence when it comes to games like this unless it is going to push us into working harder to try and emulate what has gone before,” admitted the thoughtful team boss.

“If anything Pollok will derive a little more motivation from the prospect of coming to Beechwood and turning us over and it’s not as if it’s needed because they are a much-improved side under Tony McInally as results in recent weeks clearly indicate and they sit top of the table on merit.

“Yes they suffered a blip in losing 1-0 at home to Shettleston last weekend, but I fully imagine their players will be itching to try and make amends and what better game to do it than against ourselves.”

The cruel injury blow that forced inspirational premature ball-winning stopper Mark Campbell into retirement is never far from Tucker’s thoughts and he openly disputes the notion held by most pundits in saying Talbot possess considerable strength in depth, far greater than the other top-flight sides.

He admitted: “Finding a replacement with Sparky’s qualities is far from easy but we are looking far and wide in this respect.

“Our options are fairly limited in the meantime with Steven White dropping back to team up with Martin McGoldrick in last week’s Scottish Junior Cup win over Kinnoul, with Willie Lyle and Gordon Pope either side of them.

“But that’s not necessarily how we will line-up against Pollok given that James Latta has trained this week with no adverse reaction to show he has recovered from the injury which kept him out of that game.

“Where I will hold up my hand and admit we don’t lack for plenty of choice is in the forward areas where Graham Wilson and Mark Shankland started against Kinnoul, with Keir Milliken and Robert Brown on the bench.

“David Gillies who has been sidelined for a number of weeks with a calf muscle problem was another of our substitutes and he looked sharp when coming on for the last 25 minutes and could figure tomorrow.

“Irrespective of who gets the nod and who doesn’t, we need every player to be at it to have any chance of picking up three points.”

A glance at the standings shows tomorrow’s encounter marking the halfway point of Pollok’s league campaign and gaffer McInally is not concerned that the entire chasing pack have games in hand over his side.

He said: “They cannot all win their fixtures so we can only look after our own situation and try to set a difficult target by putting as many points on the board as possible.

“Losing out to Shettleston was both unexpected and a setback, however it gives me confidence to know my players have always given a positive reaction following a defeat and I say that even though there’s no tougher place to go than Auchinleck.

“Tucker’s team remains the benchmark for every other Super Premier outfit and it’s a huge challenge to go up against them in front of their own fans, however the mood in our dressing room is upbeat with everyone in good spirits this week and looking forward to the game.”

Macca overseen Super First Division title and Evening Times Cup triumphs last season, however he insists the restoration of the Newlandsfield club’s status as one of the Junior big guns will only be sealed by tomorrow’s clash with the Ayrshire kingpins.

He added: “We worked so hard last season to get back to this stage and I’d like to think our supporters will be proud as punch tomorrow seeing their team yet again running to face the might of Auchinleck.

“It’s a massive game between two Junior greats and this is where Pollok rightfully belong instead of – with all due respect – contemplating trips to Maybole and Irvine Vics.

“Tucker has put together a fantastic squad containing some of the game’s outstanding players in Youngy, big McGoldrick, Popey, Graham Wilson and arguably the best goalkeeper going the rounds in Andy Leishman so I cannot wait to see our players going toe to toe with them.”

On the comings and goings front comes word of Larkhall Thistle placing vastly-experienced centre-back Neil Schonbeville, formerly of Yoker Athletic and East Kilbride Thistle, on the open to transfer list.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm)

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup third round: Stonehaven v St Anthony's, Hill O’Beath v Ardrossan Winton Rovers. Third round replays: Arniston Rangers v Neilston, Beith v Girvan.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup second round: Johnstone Burgh v Irvine Meadow, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Glenafton, Clydebank v Whitletts Vics, Craigmark v Arthurlie. First round: Annbank Utd v Vale of Clyde.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok, Shettleston v Hurlford Utd, Petershill v Troon.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Bellshill Athletic v Cumnock, Rutherglen Glencairn v Shotts Bon Accord, Kilsyth Rangers v Greenock, Kilwinning Rangers v Largs Thistle,Winton Rovers v Maybole, Cumbernauld Utd v Yoker Athletic.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Lesmahagow v Rossvale, Wishaw v Renfrew, Larkhall Thistle v Dunipace, Thorniewood Utd v Maryhill.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Vale of Leven v Lanark Utd, Glasgow Perthshire v East Kilbride Thistle, Benburb v Ashfield, Cambuslang Rangers v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd v Gartcairn, Forth v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Dalry Thistle v Muirkirk, Lugar Boswell v Saltcoats Vics, Irvine Vics v Darvel, Ardeer Thistle v Kello Rovers.