ROSSVALE boss Martin Lauchlan insists his Christmas won’t be spoiled by the number of teams jostling for position at top of the Central first division tree.

He and his players relinquished their long-held grip on top spot last weekend after Renfrew’s 4-2 defeat of Thorniewood United took the New Western Park outfit a point clear of Rossvale and an emerging Wishaw.

Locky watched that game from the sidelines and said afterwards: “Renfrew may have thrown the gauntlet down with their latest victory but there’s more than ourselves and Wishaw itching to pick it up. My belief is things will get even tighter at the top in the New Year with Lesmahagow coming to the fore as well as St Rochs, Larkhall Thistle and Thorniewood looking more than capable of playing themselves into contention.

“The stakes are going to be high in each and every game we play but the exact same challenge is there for all the top-half teams and I’m just delighted our guys are in the mix.

“And yes, I would have liked to have held on to our league leaders tag but it’s not that significant at this stage of the season and what really matters is that no team ever gets an easy 90 minutes against us. That in itself is quite an achievement and a sign of our progress from where we were this time last season.”

The former Partick Thistle ace’s determination to have his playing charges in the best possible fettle for when the competitive action resumes following the enforced two-week festive break has resulted in him fixing up three friendly encounters: Shettleston (last night), Lowland League side East Kilbride (Monday 28) and Junior newcomers Gartcairn (Wednesday 30).

He said: “ I believe it’s vital to keep everyone ticking over rather than find ourselves in the same position that Thorniewood did in the game against Renfrew."

Nobody could fail to have been impressed with how Andy Frame’s side played but a lack of match fitness brought about by three postponements on the spin told on them in the closing stages when two goals were conceded.

Cramming three games into eight days could also be attributed to Locky seeking to blood a new signing or two with suggestion he is on the verge of clinching the signature of out of favour Pollok defender Gary Wild.

Rossvale’s ambitious gaffer said: "I can categorically say we have not signed Gary but were he to become available then we would certainly be interested given that someone with his experience could be invaluable in helping the development of 20-year-old Sean Docherty and Craig McGregor (23).

“And his great Junior nous could also come into its own given we have massive Cup ties in the offing against Stonehaven (Scottish) and Cumnock (West).”

Wild, whose previous Junior clubs include Petershill and Beith, is thought to be on the radar of Arthurlie boss, Robert Downs, who holds an interest in Pollok's John Sweeney, a player who has also been linked with a shock move to play in the Central first division with St Rochs.

Dropping down seems an unlikely prospect for the highly rated Sweeney but the one-time Clyde midfielder has a long-standing friendship with Candy Rock manager Andy Cameron whom he played for at Blochairn Star.

The Garngad boss refused to comment on the transfer speculation however he did admit that his side needs a lift following last Saturday’s ’s 3-0 away defeat by Larkhall Thistle, their fifth league game on the trot without a win.

He said: "I have every faith in the guys coming good however an injection of fresh blood would not go amiss right now as our inexperience at this level is showing .

“We’ve only taken one point from a possible 15 and are badly missing Robert McGure who is recovering from surgery on a shoulder problem while it doesn’t help our cause that Kenny Jarvis is carrying an injury in recent games.

“The two week break comes at a good time and hopefully it allows us a chance to regroup as a dressing room and get back to playing to our strengths like we did earlier in the season.”

The thought that Pollok would offload players of the stature of Wild and Sweeney sounds extremely unlikely until one reflects upon freed-up wages being used to bring a newcomer on to the Glasgow Southside scene … Carlo Monti anyone ?

And there was sensational breaking news last night with Super Premier Division bottom markers Irvine Meadow announcing they have parted company with manager Stevie Rankin and his No. 2 Murdie McKinnon.