PICKING the right side is a pre-requisite for any Junior manager but having the right man by your side is every bit as important.

And someone who knows better than most what is required of a No.2 is Pollok assistant manager Murdie McKinnon whose short lived spell as his “own man” at Blantyre Vics preceded a close season move to Newlandsfield.

The 37-year-old said in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Cumnock: “It’s on days like this you derive a lot of job satisfaction, however both Tony and I will not allow ourselves to be blinded by getting a positive result because we believe there are so many things the players are capable of doing better.

“And our aim is to have everyone at the top of their game because this is a club geared for success with a terrific fan base, a dressing room spirit that is second to none and so many good people working behind the scenes for the club.

“Before coming here I imagined this was what Pollok would be like and I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’m now at the heart of it.”

Murdie’s early playing roots saw his first Senior club Clydebank loan him out as a 16-year-old to St Roch's under Peter Taggart before moving to Shettleston where his struggling to land a regular place in manager Dennis Curran’s thoughts caused him to give up on the Juniors.

“His joining Knightswood Juveniles proved an inspired decision as he ended up with a prized Scottish Cup Under-21 medal playing in the same team as Davie Turnbull, Derek Simpson and Michael Tolland.

Rutherglen Glencairn gaffer Ross Anderson enticed him into making the step up and his lengthy playing c.v. also lists short stints at Benburb, Cambuslang Rangers and Neilston as well as Ashfield where he came under the management duo of Stevie Rankin and Willie Patterson.

“His taking charge of Rangers Youth sides for almost five years led to him drifting away from a playing career, however he couldn’t resist the opportunity to rejoin the Junior ranks as Ashfield No.2 to Rankin, forming a partnership that was to prevail for 10 years with both the famous old Glasgow club and Irvine Meadow.”

Murdie revealed: “Stevie was happy to take some time away from the game after our parting of the ways with Medda but I wanted to stay involved and accepted the manager’s job at Blantyre Vics where I felt we made forward strides.

“The club officials couldn’t do enough for me and I might have been there to this day but for promotion at my work severely limiting the time I had to give the role and I felt compelled to step aside.

“You simply have to be full on as the team manager and I realised my job had me more suited to being the No.2 and not having to cope with the various problems such as a player telephoning on the morning of a game to say he’s on a surprise weekend trip away booked by his wife and won’t be available.

“It’s so much easier to just work with players on the training ground and on Saturdays.”

Calling time at the Vics coincided with erstwhile Macca’s close friend and long-time assistant boss Stewart Ralston stepping down at Pollok and Murdie recalls the subsequent telephone call.

He said: “I’ve known Tony for some time o it was a no-brainer when he asked me to move to Pollok and up to now I’ve loved everything about the place even though the expectations are probably higher than at any other Junior club.

“He has to be forever thinking about ways to improve and just now that means turning his head towards recruiting players as we’re a bit thin on the ground and need to get more legs and energy about the place before we start to accumulate the inevitable injuries and suspensions.

“Every game is a huge test but right now the team is coping well with the challenges asked of them and that’s buying Tony precious time to pinpoint his targets.”

Meanwhile, word on the grapevine reckons ex-Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir and Clyde hitman John Gemmell may have played his last game for Hurlford United in last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Glenafton.

The 31-year-old’s physical prowess had him earmarked as an ideal replacement for Troon bound Ross Robertson when he arrived at Blair Park during the summer months in a blaze of publicity amid claims he was hoping to score 100 goals in the Juniors.

But it’s probably fair to say that like his Ayrshire club he has struggled to find his best form ever since the season got underway and unfortunately the venting of his frustrations have led to him falling foul of referees.

Netting from the penalty spot to put Hurlford 2-1 in front against the Glens brought about his dismissal for gesticulating to visiting supporters and this third red card of his United career was followed by the journeyman striker’s transfer listing.

Also heading for pastures new is Arthurlie frontman Darren Gribben who has been put up for sale by the Barrhead club.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

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

McBookie.com Super First Division: Shotts Bon Accord v Cumbernauld Utd, Irvine Meadow v Kilsyth Rangers, Girvan v Maryhill, Yoker Athletic v Renfrew, Petershill v Irvine Vics, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clydebank, Shettleston v Blantyre Vics.

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

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

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