STEWART MAXWELL and his table-topping Rob Roy players are no strangers when it comes to getting their Super Premier Division league campaign off to a good start.

Indeed, only this week Maxi and No.2 Gordon Moffat were reflecting on how the Kirkintilloch outfit had roared out of the blocks a year ago when it dawned upon them that their current Rabs side were doing even better this season.

To be sitting atop the pile with an immaculate nine points on the board from their opening three league sorties has supporters eagerly awaiting the visit of fourth-placed Pollok in one of the ‘game of the day’ candidates on Saturday’s fixture card, however Maxi was at pains to play down expectations when speaking last night.

He said: “I’m probably repeating my words of a year ago by insisting our focus is on picking up enough points to stay in the Super Premier and nothing else.

“But what else can I say when we were to be found disputing top spot in the table for the first half of last season yet ended up just two points above the play-off place.

“Clearly a good start is much more preferable to a bad one but the realist in me believes all we have done up to now is…make a good start.

“The players here at Rob Roy are going to experience their share of ups and downs over the coming months and it’s how we bounce back when things don’t go our way that will be crucial to our final league position.

“Last season was a perfect example as heads were down when we lost our third game in to Shettleston but our response was a victory in our next league match against the reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot.

“So as far as I’m concerned we have to keep amassing as many points as possible to earn breathing space for when the tough times come…as they surely will.

“Already the top flight is shaping up as a highly competitive with Beith, Auchinleck, Pollok and Hurlford United looking early title challengers and you would also have to think Troon and Kilbirnie Ladeside will come again.

“This has the makings of a really tough league but it can hardly be anything else with nine Ayrshire teams in it.

“The realist in me wants to rein in expectations which is why I don’t include the name of Rob Roy as one of the leading lights, however I’d love the players to prove me wrong.”

Rob Roy ran out 2-0 winners over Pollok when the clubs last met at Guys Meadow in the Exsel Group Cup semi-finals last month but Maxi reckons nothing can be read into that outcome.

He added: “I’m pretty sure Tony McInally will have his players fired up to get their own back and there is no doubt we are facing a really tough 90 minutes but nobody here is quaking in our boots at the prospect.

“Pollok are a decent side with potential match-winners in Davie Winters and Gary McCann but we have several in-form players of our own in Willie Sawyers, Chris Duff and our old stager Gary McMenamin who just seems to thrive on games against the so-called big guns.

“Our two newcomers in central defence, Kevin Green and Craig Buchanan are showing signs of developing a good understanding and if they can keep things tight then I fancy we can pinch a goal at the other end.”

All is not plain sailing for the Rabs gaffer on the selection front as injury looks certain to rule out highly-rated midfield prospect Luke Whelan.

Maxi admitted: “Luke is a disciplined type who protects our backline and allows others to get into forward areas so he’ll be badly missed, however it’s pleasing that Shaun Fraser is now free of suspension and available again.

“His ability to time runs into the opposition penalty box is in my thoughts for facing Pollok and so too is Kevin Watt, now fully recovered and champing at the bit to play after substitute appearances in our last two outings.

“I think it’s fair to say every player wants to push themselves into my team plans with this being our last game before the Exsel Cup Final against Shettleston in two weeks from now, however I’ll not give that game a thought until the final whistle blows on Saturday.”

Pollok’s travelling party may include midfielder Colin Williamson who is thought to have appealed last weekend’s red carding against Hurlford United, however speedy frontman Derek Hepburn remains a doubt with an ankle ligament injury.

Lok boss McInally insisted: “The players are finding their feet after an indifferent start to the season and confidence is high in the camp.

“Rob Roy ran out deserved winners in our last meeting but I’d like to think they never seen the real Pollok that night.”