Keith Hogg says Kilsyth Rangers will not be feeling the heat even if they suffer a first league defeat of the season against Irvine Meadow on Saturday.

The table-topping Wee Gers are down in Ayrshire to face fourth-placed Medda in the Super First Division’s game of the day.

And former central-defender-turned manager Hoggy is adamant his players can come through this test of their nerve and extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

He said: "We are where we are because all the hard work put in by the players earlier in the season is now getting it’s reward and long may it continue.

“Nobody gave us a mention as a possible title candidate when the league action kicked off back in August and I was quite happy to slip under the radar while the likes of Clydebank, Petershill and Shettleston were getting all the rave notices.

“I’d much prefer to stay out of the spotlight however our unbeaten run added to displays like last weekend’s 7-0 defeat of Shotts Bon Accord has finally got people sitting up and realising we might be capable of posing a threat to the big guns.

“But I’m in the game long enough to know a dip in form will come at some point and it might well happen against Irvine Meadow where Gareth Turner and Michael Wardrope have done a marvellous job of cobbling a team together from scratch.

“But as long as my players can take one on the chin and come out the other side all the better and stronger for it then you won’t find me complaining.

“Saturday is not a title decider whether we win, lose or draw and Kilsyth Rangers intend to be in it for the long haul.”

The impact of his former Linlithgow Rose team-mate Mark Tyrrell - with whom he played alongside in two Scottish Junior Cup Finals - is not lost on Hoggy.

He said: "Mark is only 32 and was about to go into his testimonial season at the Rose, but I knew that above everything he wanted to be playing regularly.

"So I bent his ear about coming here and it’s no exaggeration to say things just clicked since he was installed at the heart of our defence.

“But not for a minute am I suggesting one player is behind our successes because nothing could be further from the truth.

“Another standout is Andy Carlin - coincidentally a former Irvine Meadow goalkeeper - who has produced wonder saves at key times while the introduction of 40-year-old elder statesman Andy Flannigan from the Lowland League has proved an inspired signing.

“We are also fortunate to have enticed Franny Kelly back from Camelon as he and Nikky Prentice provide a double flank threat that has defenders quivering in their boots and you can visibly see our supporters getting excited when either of them gets on the ball.”

Kilsyth lead the standings by virtue of a superior goals differential over Shettleston and the Duncansfield boss does not hesitate to acknowledge the impact of experienced striker Paul McBride .

He added: "Paul landed himself with a three-game suspension recently and it’s no coincidence his spell out saw the team draw two league matches and win on penalty kicks against Renfrew in the West of Scotland Cup.

“His influence on others around him is tangible as is the goalscoring return of him and another newcomer Scott Davidson.

“People talk about partnerships between players of contrasting size and pace but their big strength is they are both clever players who know when and where to make runs to make space for each other as well as team-mates.

“Joe Barclay netted 18 goals this season and I thought his requesting time away from football for family reasons would be a hammer blow to the team but truth is he hasn’t been missed up to now and I’m salivating at the thought of him returning in the New Year to compete for the jerseys with Paul and Scott. “

Yet another Kilsyth player hoping to make a return to playing action is former Queen's Park central defender David McWilliams, who is recovering from a knee ligament injury and will not figure against Irvine Meadow whose ranks include former Kilsyth fans favourite Phil Dolan.

Hoggy admitted: "Phil only left Duncansfield after moving to set up home in Ayrshire and he will be assured of a warm reception from our fans as well as close marking because he can be a matchwinner on his day.

“ Hopefully that’s not the case and we can keep our momentum going as this is a good time for everyone connected with the club given we sit atop the table and remain involved in the two main Cup competitions.

“But this is a very competitive Super First Division where there are very fine margins in games and it’s every bit as easy to lose three games on the spin as it is to pick up nine points.

“Shettleston are probably the best team we’ve faced up to now however I came away very impressed with Rutherglen Glencairn and in particular their front pair Fraser Team and Jay Mackay when our teams drew 2-2 recently.

“It’s no lie to say they gave us a torrid time of it which only goes to show you cannot expect to pick up points in this league…you have to earn them by hard graft.”