St Roch's newcomer John Sweeney doesn’t need to see the Garngad side in action to believe they can force themselves into the Central First Division promotion reckoning in the second half of the season.

A spate of weather-enforced postponements have contributed to the Candy Rock managing nothing more than friendly matches since the 28-year-old midfielder's surprise transfer across city from Pollok towards the end of December.

Their latest run-out last Sunday resulted in a high scoring 7-5 defeat at the hands of a youthful Ayr United X1 at the Toryglen Indoor Arena.

Yet Sweeney is predicting St Roch's are primed and ready to snap out of the form dip which has yielded up just one point from their last five league matches.

He said: "Ayr United played really well, but not a lot should be read into the result considering we put out a fairly experimental line –up including a number of guys playing out of their normal positions.

“The game did serve the purpose of keeping us ticking in terms of match fitness however our display also reinforced my opinion that St Roch's are not lacking for quality players capable of operating at a much higher level.

“Darryl Naismith in particular is someone whose skills have constantly caught my eye and he could go on to carve out a footballing career for himself if he just puts his mind to it.”

One-time Clyde signing Sweeney admits to being thrilled to have put down roots with his local Junior club and is eagerly awaiting the chance to make his competitive debut in this coming Saturday’s head to head with city rivals Vale of Clyde.

He added: “Moving here has worked out far better than I ever expected and it’s a delight to be playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football again.

“Andy Cameron has fielded me in a central role in our outings and I’ve tried hard to impress but Kieron Martin, Paul Roan and Robert McGuire are no slouches and there’s no way I can take a place against the Vale for granted.

“They will be cock-a-hoop after beating the league leaders Renfrew in their last outing and will provide a huge test but we have real character running through our side and that could get us over the line.

“Hopefully I get the nod because St Roch's would derive a huge confidence boost from picking up three points and I want to play my part in getting our season back on track.”

Team boss Cameron has called upon his playing charges to show a desire to get themselves back among the promotion challengers.

He said: "The last week in October saw us facing Thorniewood United needing a victory to go top of the table but we lost that game and have slid down the standings ever since to currently sit in seventh place.

“It would be nice to have some upward momentum again and certainly John’s arrival on the scene has given our dressing room a lift and he’s exerting a massive influence on everyone in this short space of time at the club.

“It helps that he’s such a great talker out on the pitch and the guys are responding to him and looking more like their old selves not least of all Jordan Logan who has scored in almost every outing.

“Vale of Clyde gave us a real testing examination when coming here to play out a 3-3 draw earlier in the season and they have improved their team with the signing of Scott McManus so we have to be at the top of our game …or else.”

Tin Pail chief Ian Currie owns up to knowing all about Sweeney’s attributes from his days as a coach with Clyde .

He said: "John is a driving force of a player with great energy and a winning mentality to boot so I’ve no doubts he will prove a terrific signing for St Roch's.

"However, one of his Broadwood team-mates Connor Stevenston is on our books and their battle for midfield control could be tasty to say the least.

“He was outstanding in the victory over Renfrew, but the key for him and all the other guys is to reproduce that same display against St Roch's and put more points on the board tro get us moving away from the basement area.

“The last meeting of the clubs was an old fashioned ding-dong affair and I fancy another cracking spectacle could be on the cards for Saturday.”

The current First Division table does not make good reading for Glasgow-based clubs as sitting just four points better off than Vale of Clyde are St Anthony's , facing a “must-win” encounter away to bottom markers Dunipace while a crucial 90 minutes awaits Maryhill who could move three places up the standings by racking up a third consecutive league win when Larkhall Thistle come through to Lochburn Park.