Juniors: Hitman Kevin Watt has Kilwinning Rangers in his sights as Rob Roy aim to widen gap at Super Premier summit

The tabletopping Rabs play host to Kilwinning Rangers and are keen to make the most of an opportunity to widen the points gap between them and a chasing quartet of clubs.

Especially since three of them - Glenafton, Auchinleck Talbot and Pollok - will be otherwise engaged on Scottish Junior Cup duty.

And the Holm Park clash is set to be even more defining in the grand scheme of things with the Kirkintilloch outfit’s forward going-forward threat shorn of the not inconsiderable goalscoring services of renowned hitman Willie Sawyers.

More than a few eyebrows were raised earlier this week when Rabs gaffer Stewart Maxwell revealed the bustling Sawyers is likely to be posted missing for at least two months with a severely torn thigh muscle.

However, his regular strike partner Kevin Watt believes the league leaders are not bereft of other attacking options .

He said: "A lot of our rivals will be thinking Rob Roy will simply fall apart with Willie ruled out until the New Year and that’s understandable given he has been in outstanding form ever since the season got underway.

“I see what he does at close quarters and in my opinion Willie is probably the best striker currently going the rounds in the Junior game.

"There’s no getting away from the fact he’ll be a massive loss, not least because you know what you get when he’s in the team.”

Watt is in his second spell with the Rabs having initially joined on a loan deal from Clyde to fill the breach left by Sawyers moving to Irvine Meadow where he did not enjoy the best of times.

He added: "I’m at a loss to explain why Willie didn’t set the heather on fire at Meadow Park as he’s been a revelation in terms of sticking the ball in the net since coming back here and I’ve also heard stories of his scoring exploits with his first Junior club Renfrew.

“He also doesn’t get the credit he deserves as I find him to be pretty unique insofar as Willie doesn’t buzz around and run the channels like myself or Amadou Kassarate in looking to make space.

"But he has few if any peers in terms of hold-up play and for getting on the end of things in and around the penalty area.

“Neither myself, Amadou or Shaun Fraser would profess to being capable of replicating what he brings to the table.

"But we have other qualities which I’m sure the gaffer Maxi will use to good effect even if it means changing the overall team shape.”

Watt, whose seven-year long Senior football career was shared between stints with Airdrie and Clyde, describes his reinstatement to the Juniors as a “leap of faith”, however it is a decision he has never regretted.

He said: “Friends had jokingly warned me off saying Junior level was akin to unarmed combat but my experiences to date tell me this is utter nonsense and there are scores of quality players operating in the top league .

“And I would bet on at least a handful of the leading clubs more than holding their own in the lower Senior divisions.

“The coaching drills and training facilities are also on a par with the Seniors as indeed are the crowds taking in games whenever the top sides are in opposition.”

Turning his attention to tomorrow’s tester against Kilwinning, he went on: "I was coming back from injury and only figured as a substitute when we won 2-1 down at their place earlier in the season when Mr Reliable (Sawyers) popped up with the winning goal and I remember thinking they were pretty decent for a newly promoted side.

“And they have since bolstered their squad with the signings of Carlo Monti and Findlay Frye from Pollok so I think it’s realistic for us to expect an even stiffer r examination of our title aspirations .

“But we’ve improved significantly ourselves and there’s a confidence instilled in our dressing room that has everyone looking forward to proving Rob Roy can pick up points regardless of whether the going is heavy or the weather is poor.

“That was probably our big failing last season but this is a stronger and better prepared squad of players …even minus Willie.”

A Rabs slip-up in tandem with fourth top Arthurlie picking up all three points at home to Hurlford United would see the Barrhead men attain pole position.

And there has to be every likelihood of Stevie Kerrigan’s men coming out on top against Ayrshire opponents whose form slump covers their last nine outings.

In other contests, newly-appointed team manager Mark Bradley takes charge of Kilbirnie Ladeside for the first time when Troon come through to Valefield and Largs Thistle will be hoping to move off bottom spot in the standings with a home victory over Cumnock.

Playing tomorrow: (Kick-offs 1.45pm) Scottish Junior Cup.Third Round. East Kilbride Thistle v Culter, Downfield v Broughty Athletic, Kirrie Thistle v Hill of Beath, Thorniewood Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose,Stonehaven v Greenock, Luncarty v Rosyth,Dundee Violet v Glenafton, Dundee North End v Linlithgow Rose, Lochee Utd v Musselburgh Athletic, Bo’ness United v Blantyre Vics, Jeanfield Swifts v Hermes. Replays. Irvine Meadow v Darvel, Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Arthurlie v Hurlford Utd , Kilbirnie Ladeside v Troon, Largs Thistle v Cumnock, Rob Roy v Kilwinning Rangers.

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

Lesmahagow v Benburb, Larkhall Thistle v Bellshill Athletic, Cambuslang Rangers v Neilston, Forth Wanderers v St Rochs, Johnstone Burgh v Rossvale.

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

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Maybole v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Craigmark, Annbank Utd v Whitletts Vics, Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Ardeer Thistle v Muirkirk.