CHRISSY HALL’S striking position at Petershill is under threat yet the talented hitman says he couldn’t be happier.

The 26-year-old former Knightswood Juveniles prospect who first broke onto the Junior scene as an 18-year-old with Ashfield under Stevie Rankin made the decision to pack his boots and follow his mentor when he took over the helm at Irvine Meadow.

This proved to be an ill-fated stint for both of them, not least of all Chrissy as a combination of recurring groin injuries along with dressing room unrest led to him losing the desire to play football for the first time in his life.

Four months without so much as a kick at a ball passed very quickly and Chrissy readily admits he might he might still be outside the game and looking in but for long-time admirer and Peasy boss Willie Patterson doggedly chasing him down over the summer months to ask if he would fancy returning to the Junior scene with his Springburn club.

The playing ace initially agreed to no more than attending a few training sessions but now he has penned a signing deal after rediscovering his old zest and enthusiasm for the game despite Petershill’s relegation last time out meaning he is now operating in the West Region’s second tier Super First Division.

He revealed: “One or two people might think it shows a lack of ambition on my part to opt for a club outside the Super Premier Division but it’s not as if there were any top flight managers on my case during the close season.

“Willie certainly was and he totally sold me on his ambitions and plans for Petershill which include bouncing straight back up into the Super Premier at the first time of asking which is exactly how it should be at this club and there’s no doubt he has geared the Peasy for success with a fabulous set-up and a dressing room spirit that is second to none.

“He has also brought together a playing squad packed with quality and in the forward areas alone I find myself competing for a jersey with Stephen McGladrigan, Jason Hardie, Graham Hearton and our young rising star Stuart McCann who had a short playing stint last season at Meadow Park as well as being the younger brother of my former Medda team-mate Gary who has now moved onto Pollok.

“Stuart didn’t get a lot of game time at Irvine Meadow but he’s a real flying machine and I believe he is even faster than Gary though obviously lacking for the same experience in how to use his phenomenal pace to its best effect.

“That will surely come and in the meantime I will try and pass any tips just as big Paul Maxwell did for me on when I was starting out as a teenager at Ashfield.”

“It’s patently clear that Willie has a whole array of striking permutation available to him and I cannot possibly expect to get the nod in every game so I will just have to accept he knows best and do what is needed to get back in again as I’m feeling settled her and want to put down long term roots.

Chrissy added: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my football again particularly the training drills put together by Willie and Paul Kelly which I find refreshing after almost eight years working under Stevie and Murdie McKinnon.

“I clearly needed this change and the fact I also live locally in Robroyston is another factor which has helped arrive at my settled outlook.”

Hall and his team-mates feature in one of the top Super First Division fixtures tomorrow when they head across the city to face a revamped Shettleston who emerged as 2-1 winners when the clubs locked horns last month in an Exsel Group Cup clash that was also played at Greenfield Park.

He was posted missing on account of a family bereavement but gleaned enough from dressing room chat to know an exacting 90 minutes is in store.

He said: “By all accounts Peter Weatherson scored a wonder free-kick that day and generally put himself about to enable Shettleston to knock us off our stride and win the tie.

“Willie has addressed how we handle his threat but most of his focus has been on how we can build on our recent 6-0 winning display against Maryhill.

“Alex Cassells and Luke Crerand were electric in that game playing either side of myself and Jason while Paul Callander and Connor Stevenson dominated in midfield, however Willie has a number of other selection options now with Jordan Murch, Liam Finnigan and Kevin Nichol all back in contention after sitting out against Maryhill so I couldn’t hazard a guess as to how he will line us up.”

Seasoned gaffer Patterson was keeping his playing cards close to chest last night but did admit to being spoilt for choice.

He said: “Our regular right-back Fraser McGhee is back from holiday and Stuart McCann is fully recovered from a chipped bone in his ankle so the only player not at my disposal is young Graham Hearton who trained this week after being sidelined with an abductor strain, however the game is coming a week too soon for him.

“Missing chances to add to our 1-0 lead in the first Shettleston game cost us dearly and I’d like to think we won’t be so wasteful if similar opportunities arise again.”

Vying with the Glasgow rivals showdown for the Super First game of the day status is the Holm Park locking of horns between derby foes Clydebank and Yoker which has added spice from the Bankies currently occupying a top of the table position ahead of the Whe Ho sitting in second place.

The strong going duo have already played out an exciting 2-2 Exsel Cup draw this season and matters could be every bit as evenly contested this time out with in-form striking pair Mark Burbridge and Peter McGill providing the main scoring threat for the Bankies whose team boss Budgie McGhie will have his defenders warned to keep a tight rein on Yoker striking sensation Ryan Hynes who may play up front on his own if regular partner Gary Arbuckle is unavailable through work commitments.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

Scottish Cup Preliminary Round Two Replay: Auchinleck Talbot v Beith.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Pollok v Hurlford Utd, Kilwinning Rangers v Rob Roy, Cumnock v Largs Thistle, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Glenafton, Troon v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Cumbernauld Utd v Irvine Vics, Clydebank v Yoker Athletic, Shettleston v Petershill, Irvine Meadow v Rutherglen Glencairn, Girvan v Blantyre Vics.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Benburb v Thorniewood Utd, Forth Wanderers v Larkhall Thistle, Wishaw v Lesmahagow, Cambuslang Rangers v Bellshill Athletic, Vale of Clyde v Neilston, Johnstone Burgh v Greenock, Rossvale v St Roch's.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Gartcairn v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Dunipace, Carluke Rovers v Ashfield, Vale of Leven v St Anthony's, Glasgow Perthshire v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Whitletts Vics v Dalry Thistle, Craigmark v Annbank Utd, Muirkirk v Lugar Boswell, Saltcoats Vics v Ardeer Thistle, Kello Rovers v Maybole, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Darvel, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle.