Clydebank team boss Budgie McGhie has labelled today’s showdown with Super First Division promotion rivals Cumnock as a must-win game for his players.

Yet it’s difficult not to consider his second-top-of-the-table Bankies side as anything other than outright underdogs for their crunch Rosebank Park clash against the third-placed Nock when one takes into account a crippling injury crisis that looks likely to deprive the visitors of five regulars.

Danny McKinnon, Alan Vezza, Graham Mort and Johnny Allan are all rated definite non-starters along with Hashim Cole and Budgie’s only crumb of comfort comes from skipper Phil Barclay reckoning he has a better than 50/50 chance of being declared fit.

Budgie was far from despondent last night and preferred to put a positive slant on his team selection by saying: “To still have all our forward going types ready for the fray is a boost so if we can cobble things together defensively by getting a few of the guys to play out of position then I believe we are in with a shout.

“It’s far from ideal to have a handful of first-choice players unavailable going into a game of this importance but we had similar problems away to Kilwinning recently and managed to come away with a 1-1 draw so I wouldn’t put it past the guys to get a result tomorrow particularly if the footballing gods smile on us.”

Neither did it escape the experienced gaffer’s notice that this time last season the Bankies were already relegated.

He added: "For a side as young as ours to still be in the promotion mix going into the third week in May is a remarkable achievement in this ultra-competitive league and I cannot praise the players enough.

“Now comes the final push where we probably need to win our last two games and Rutherglen Glencairn next Wednesday night are a tough nut to crack.

"But even then we would still need other results to go our way.

“There’s nothing for it other than to give it our best shot, but right now I’d probably bite your hand off if you offered me the play-off place as a path to stepping up.”

Showing little sign of nerves ahead of the top of the table contest is Cumnock gaffer John McKeown who still found time amid a frantic playing schedule of four games in eight days to conclude the signing of former Rangers, Airdrie and Queen of the South midfielder Stevie McKenna for next season.

Ruggy declared: "Getting Stevie on board is a marvellous piece of transfer business for this club and I’d like to think we can give him Super Premier Division stage on which to strut his stuff.

“Getting the better of Clydebank would be a major stride towards that aim and it certainly doesn’t get much more dramatic than a head to head between us with precious few games left to play.

“Our spirits have been lifted after a sticky patch by picking up nine points from three consecutive league wins over the past week and I detect everyone looking forward to taking on the Bankies and proving we deserve promotion.

“ Yes we have niggles and knocks with Andy Scott looking a serious doubt but the players are manfully getting results and ultimately that‘s what will get us over the line.

“We have not done enough in the big games against the main promotion challengers and that has to change tomorrow.”

An equally crucial vital Super First fixture goes ahead at Duncansfield where Kilsyth Rangers host the visit of a table-topping Largs Thistle side playing their final league match.

Victory doesn’t guarantee Bryan Slaven’s men an automatic promotion place, but they would be assured of no worse than third top and a play-off double-header against Shettleston were Cumnock and Kilwinning Rangers to string together four wins apiece in their remaining games.

The battle for points is every bit as intense for varying reasons in the meeting of high-flying Kilwinning Rangers and relegation-threatened Rutherglen Glencairn while Holm Park hosts a must-win clash for basement pair Yoker Athletic and Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Meanwhile, the announcement of Davie Greig’s intention to quit as Irvine Meadow manager at the end of the season has led to the Ayrshire club inviting would-be applicants for the post to contact club secretary Lyn McFarlane on 07854 767062 or email to lynmcfarlane9@gmail.com.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence and the closing date has been set as Saturday, May 28.

PLAYING TODAY (Kick-offs 2pm): Rob Roy v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Yoker Athletic v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Blantyre Vics v Maybole, Kilwinning Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Cumnock v Clydebank, Kilsyth Rangers v Largs Thistle.

McBookie.com Central First Division

Rossvale v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Port Glasgow.