TALKING points aplenty are promised by this coming Saturday’s opening salvo of Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup fixtures.

Not for the faint hearted, derby contests pepper the menu with Cambuslang Rangers awaiting the visit of Rutherglen Glencairn, Clydebank go up against their Holm Park landlords Yoker Athletic, while those nearest of near neighbours Glasgow Perthshire and Ashfield are preparing to lock horns at Keppoch Park.

And slightly further afield at Guys Meadow is the prospect of an entertaining clash between long-standing foes Cumbernauld United and Rob Roy which has both camps claiming they may not be up to the task of delivering a dream start to the new Junior season.

United gaffer John Queen fears the absence of a number of star turns could prevent his side getting over the line.

He insisted: “Finishing last season with our playing resources down to the bare bones forced us to ask guys to play while carrying injuries and we’re now paying the price with Davie Dickson, Aldo Clark and Alex Greer toiling to be passed fit for the Rob Roy game.

“And one of our major close-season signings Tony Stevenston is sitting out the game through suspension along with James Brown while pressure of work commitments is ruling out the former Rabs pair of Scott Upton and Ryan Tiffaney.

“It might be weeks before Scott is ready for action as he has started up his own business and to date has only managed to get along to one pre-season training session so we can only wait and see if his situation improves.

Queeny has installed former Partick Thistle winger George Shaw as his No.2 as replacement for John Crooks who stepped down due to family commitments and the United boss admits to being encouraged by his side’s pre-season form

He said: “Our signings have given the place a lift and that added confidence has shone through in our early performances.

“Tony is a big loss as he has impressed no end and made the game look easy in friendly matches with his experience and passing skills helping to bring out the best in youngsters Mikey McLaughlin and Davie Robb.

“There’s nothing for it other than to roll up the sleeves and get on with things, however it shows just how light on the ground we are for bodies when our 46-year-old former player Alan McConville played fully 45 minutes of the 3-3 draw against Stein’s Amateurs last weekend.

“Rob Roy beat us 2-0 in this competition last season and emerged as a decent side who went on to lead the Super Premier Division so we’re expecting nothing other than a tough 90 minutes.”

The United gaffer also revealed his club are on the lookout for a a qualified or trainee physiotherapist following the departure of Jimmy Cooper who has stepped up to the Senior ranks with Arbroath.

Rob Roy are hardly in good fettle themselves in terms of squad numbers after naming just 11 players along with three trialists when suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Petershill on Saturday.

But supporters will be heartened to hear team boss Stewart Maxwell say his line-up is set to be considerably strengthened ahead of their Guys Meadow test.

He revealed: “Pre-season friendly matches can be a bit of a lottery as players availability for games can fluctuate from week to week because of holidays.

“Gary McMenamin, Davie Barr and Chris Duff missed Saturday but are all back for facing Cumbernauld as indeed are Sean Fraser and Scott Walker who were attending a wedding.

“Unfortunately Craig Buchanan and Davie Sinclair are still away and there is every likelihood that Sinky might not kick a ball for us as a number of Senior clubs are chasing his signature.

“Normally I’d give them short thrift for attempting to entice away a player on the eve of the season, however Davie and I have a gentlemen’s agreement that Rob Roy will not stand in his way if a Senior club comes calling so we can only wait and see what he decides.

“If he goes then I’ll have no qualms about giving Jordan McGuire the chance to sign as he’s been excellent in our outings to date.”

In game played last night Lanark United were once again crowned Clydesdale Cup kings following a resounding 4-1 Moor Park defeat of Forth Wanderers who had briefly led 1-0 before the Yowes came roaring back with Maxwell (2), Gallagher and McGurk goals.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

TOMORROW NIGHT

Wishaw v Mill Utd, Maybole v Irvine Meadow, Vale of Leven v St Roch's, Port Glasgow v Barrhead Under 21s, Neilston v Queen's Park Under 20s, Pollok v Shotts Bon Accord, Maryhill v Whitletts Vics, Renfrew v Rossvale, Rutherglen Glencairn v Rob Roy, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Morton XI.

SATURDAY

(Kick-offs 2pm)

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup Section One: Forth Wanderers v Larkhall Thistle, Lesmahagow v Royal Albert. Section Two: Carluke Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord, Nemains Utd v Gartcairn. Section Three: Bellshill Athletic v Thorniewood Utd, Petershill v St Roch's. Section Four: Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Blantyre Vics v Vale of Clyde. Section Five: Arthurlie v St Anthony's, Benburb v Pollok. Section Six: Clydebank v Yoker Athletic, Glasgow Perthshire v Ashfield. Section Seven: Greenock v Renfrew, Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven. Section Eight: Cumbernauld Utd v Rob Roy, Kilsyth Rangers v Rossvale. Ardagh Glass Cup. Section One: Dalry Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers,Largs Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers,Kilbirnie Ladeside v Beith. Section Two: Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Meadow, Darvel v Ardeer Thistle, Irvine Vics v Hurlford Utd. Section Three: Craigmark v Annbank Utd, Maybole v Girvan, Whitletts Vics v Troon. Section Four: Cumnock v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Auchinleck Talbot, Kello Rovers v Glenafton.