ROSSVALE’S crocked ace Ross Hepburn is hoping to get the all-clear to reboot his Junior playing career in tonight’s friendly encounter away to Renfrew.

The experienced midfielder, sidelined for the past four months since picking up a badly bruised bone injury to his foot in a game against Thorniewood United, is determined to prove himself fighting fit and raring to go ahead of the new Junior season kicking off in earnest this coming Saturday.

And his motivation is all the more understandable when one takes into account the Bishopbriggs outfit’s Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup opener is a trip through to Duncansfield to face Hepburn’s former club Kilsyth Rangers.

Last night the 27-year-old revealed: “A morale boosting win would be welcome in what is our fourth and last pre-season friendly game.

“I haven’t felt myself ready to figure in any of the other three outings, two victories over Under-21 opposition and a 5-0 going over at the hands of Pollok, but I’ve since returned to intensive training sessions alongside the other guys so the natural next step on my recovery trail is to cram in some playing time.

“My sights are set on getting a work-out at some stage against Renfrew, however it remains to be seen whether I can put myself into contention for a jersey against Kilsyth and former team-mates such as Joe Barclay, Michael McGhee and Kevin McBride.

“They will be on a high after a terrific 4-4 draw with Hurlford United last weekend but I fancy we can go there and get a result.”

Hepburn has been impressed with manager Brian McGinty’s close season transfer dealings which have resulted in seasoned Junior types Steven Tart, Craig Holmes, Gary McGrath and goalkeeper Jamie Donnelly arriving to fill the gaps left by a number of last season’s Rossvale playing squad heading away to pastures new.

He insisted: “We lost a lot of good players but the management team of Brian and Stevie Aitchison know the Junior game and their bringing in guys who have been over the course … some who played at Super Premier Division level last season … has actually strengthened us.

“And I played alongside Brian at Pollok and know the influence he is able to exert on those around him so it can only help our cause that he has registered himself as a player and will be out on the pitch when needs must.”

In other games tonight, Pollok hope to have midfielders Colin Williamson and Finlay Frye back for the visit of a Shotts Bon Accord side understandably buoyed by the manner of their 3-2 weekend victory over Cumnock.

Shotts gaffer Kieron McGuinness insisted: “We got our reward down at Cumnock for a good performance but going up against Pollok in their own backyard is arguably an even tougher ask.

“ There’s an interesting backdrop with Pollok boasting a handful of ex-Shotts players whereas we still have three guys on the books who were part of the Scottish Junior Cup-winning side under Tony McInally.

“Unfortunately full-back Paul Finnigan is elsewhere and misses out tonight but Andy Scott will skipper the team and Johnny Murdoch is competing for the gloves with our other goalkeeper Colin McGraw.

“Close season signings Ally Martin and Mark Duffy will almost certainly feature as will outstanding prospect Glen Eadie who was four years on the books of Celtic and there may be other new faces as I am still on the lookout for players.

“That said, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the quality of those players I inherited at Hannah Park most notably Andy Cross and Danny Burns who have really looked the part in our pre-season preparations..

“Tonight is just another step towards having everyone fully tuned up for our opening Euroscot Eng game away to Carluke Rovers on Saturday so I won’t read too much into the result whether we win, lose or draw.”

Meanwhile, two of Saturday’s ‘without a fixture' teams, Shettleston and Port Glasgow, have agreed to meet in a friendly match at Greenfield Park (kick-off 2pm), and on the search for a qualified or trainee physiotherapist are Central First Division outfit Johnstone Burgh who are asking interested parties to contact secretary Ricky Cantwell on 07719323744.

On the comings and goings front comes word of ex-Queen's Park full-back Kris Gebbie being placed on the open-to-transfer list at Lowland League side East Kilbride for whom ex-Irvine Meadow winger Adam Strachan played in their 3-0 weekend defeat of Whitehill Welfare.

PLAYING TONIGHT

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-20’s, Pollok v Shotts Bon Accord, Maryhill v Whitletts Vics, Renfrew v Rossvale, Rutherglen Glencairn v Rob Roy, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Morton XI.