ST ROCH'S boss Andy Cameron believes he is in a very good place right now.

His Garngad players have notched up back-to-back wins to turn the corner following a dip in form over the winter months which saw them pick up just one point from a possible 15.

Declan Docherty has arrived from Thorniewood United to further strengthen the ambitious gaffer’s selection hand in a midfield where John Sweeney and Robert McGuire are shaping up as a formidable partnership.

And, best of all, his much-improved Candy Rock players find themselves on the verge of passing a highly significant milestone as the first promoted St Roch's side since 1979 to stay up and avoid a “straight back down again” relegation fate.

The never less than enthusiastic Andy took time out from preparations for today’s clash with Neilston at the James McGrory Stadium to say: “Winning our last two games against Carluke Rovers (5-0) and Vale of Clyde (4-1) has undoubtedly helped to lift the mood in and around our dressing room and you can sense the players are determined to keep things going against Neilston.

“They are something of an unknown quantity to us but are clearly a club with ambitions of their own given they recently went out and made four quality signings inclusive of highly regarded former St Roch's centre-back Andy “Noddy” Amos from Blantyre Vics.

“And the fact the former Celtic goalkeeper Dennis Connaghan is one of their leading club officials adds a special twist to proceedings seeing as his former Parkhead team-mate Bertie Auld has promised to come along to the game.

“Bertie is a St Roch's season ticket holder - number 67 would you believe - and has been known to attend several of our games so I’m pretty sure the guys will be fired up to put on a show with a supporter of his stature in attendance.

“On a personal note I also think a victory might do wonders in helping swell the numbers coming to our fund raising Race Night Event at the Stadium later tonight.”

Andy raised eyebrows this week by his surprise decision to allow his former Albion Rovers striking ace TJ McLuskey to go out on loan to Central Second Division outfit East Kilbride Thistle, but has been at pains to point out the transfer deal for the highly rated 21-year-old is a short-term arrangement.

He said: "Jordan Logan and Baboucarr Musa are playing out of their skins just now and TJ’s game time has been limited as a result so this loan deal is all about getting him match fitness and the sharpness that comes from regularly playing games.

“ We can cope in the meantime as our player/coach Chris McFadyen is more than happy to step in as a replacement after recently being picked to represent the Scotland side heading to Thailand to play in the Seniors World Cup but I’ve no doubts TJ will be back scoring goals for St Roch's before too long.

“A number of clubs were keen to get him on board but having East Kilbride Thistle on his doorstep tipped the balance in their favour.”

The 46-year-old’s desire to keep St Roch's in the hunt for a promotion place has him searching for recruits following the departures of playing squad members.

He said: "Brian Henderson and Max Neossi have both moved to St Anthony's while Mark McDonnell has reverted to the amateurs so we are needing bodies in, however I would much prefer to add a touch of experience as compensation.

“I’m not comfortable with the gap between ourselves and the leading clubs Renfrew and Wishaw so we must strive to get closer to them over the coming months.”

Looking at the other Central First Division contests has one struggling to see league leaders Renfrew slipping up at home to the struggling Ants while Wishaw are strongly fancied for the spoils away to Carluke Rovers however third top Rossvale appear to have a more difficult 90 minutes in store at home to Lesmahagow.

The Bishopbriggs club are resigned to losing goalkeeper Chris Calder after he slapped in a transfer request in the aftermath of being dropped to allow new shot-stopper signing Jon Connolly to make his debut in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat by Johnstone Burgh.

In other movements, Super Premier Division outfit Troon have snapped up Stranraer and former Partick Thistle left back Dale Keenan who is seen as the replacement for veteran Neil McGowan, currently on loan to Maybole.