RYAN McSTAY believes his player/manager stint at Shettleston has been a learning curve that will stand him in good stead if he decides to stay in Junior football.

The 31-year-old whose extensive experience at Senior level includes memorable playing stints with Partick Thistle, Dumbarton and Annan Athletic has found himself in demand ever since the Greenfield Park departures of him and Peter Weatherson last weekend.

The duo were initially linked with the vacant Clydebank manager’s post, however the chances of them teaming up again in a dugout capacity this season appear to have been killed off by goalscoring ace Weatherson deciding to sign back on for one of his former clubs Annan in midweek.

The 36-year-old’s decision will disappoint a number of Junior clubs, notably Super Premier trio Auchinleck Talbot, Hurlford United and Rob Roy, but he could not turn down the chance of returning to Galabank where there is a strong likelihood of him forming a striking partnership alongside another ex-Junior frontman Smart Osadolar who recently parted company with Central First Division outfit Rossvale.

Midfield playmaker McStay refuses to disclose the names of his array of Junior suitors, however he is in no hurry to take up one of the various options while recovering from a groin strain that kept him sidelined during Shettleston’s 1-1 draw at home to Irvine Meadow last Saturday.

He insisted: “Good luck to Peter and I'm pretty sure he will hit the ground running at Annan, but for now I have to look after myself and that may entail signing a short-term deal with another Junior club until the end of season.

“I cannot say whether we will ever form a management team again but our record of just two defeats (over 90 minutes) in 22 games is an indication that we were doing more right than wrong.

“It’s understandable to have regrets over leaving Shettleston after putting so much time and effort into building the team but I can only wish them the best of luck and hope they go on to win promotion.”

Speculation is rife on the Town managerial front and their former player and one time St Johnstone striker Keigan Parker has to be one of the names firmly in the reckoning after he stepped forward to oversee training this week in preparation for tomorrow’s trip across city to meet Maryhill.

He faces stiff competition as ex-Gartcairn gaffer Gerry Bonham and the father and son management duo of John Fallon Senior and Junior have their Town backers as have the Thorniewood United pairing of Andy Frame and John Paul McBride while an approach for Greenock's dugout team of Stevie Mooney and Stevie Dallas has been muted in some quarters.

Parker’s ability to take charge of team affairs will face a testing examination tomorrow not least because at least five Shettleston regulars Jordan Halsam, Stevie Logan, Josh Horne, Jordan Morton and team captain Greg McDonald have followed the co-managers out the exit gates.

Believed to be back in the dressing room is locally-based defender Ian Chisholm (who left after a disagreement with Weatherson) and it’s alleged Parker has been actively seeking to recruit former team-mates Brian McEwan and Ryan Kennedy as he looks to cobble together a side for the Lochburn Park contest.

No doubt Shettleston’s apparent turmoil will be warmly welcomed by their main promotion rivals Kilsyth Rangers, Clydebank, Girvan and Petershill whose step up hopes could be boosted if the Town drop off the pace.

Peasy boss Willie Patterson said: “They have been very consistent from a result perspective and looking formidable to say the least.

“And if the stories of player departures are true then it’s going to take time for any new manager to bring in quality replacements and it’s an even tougher ask at this stage of the season so you can expect a few hiccups.

“We suffered one ourselves last week when a six-game unbeaten run was ended by a 3-1 defeat from Girvan and we can have no complaints following a terrible day at the office defensively.

“Paul Kelly and I felt it necessary to hold a straight talking session with the players last Monday night and the trick now is to get the right response from the guys when we head down to meet Irvine Vics.

“You have to think the league leaders Kilsyth will get a victory at home to Shotts so we cannot afford for the points gap to widen any further.”

Among other Super First Division games is the clash of Renfrew and the strong going Girvan which is a re-run of last season’s hard-fought Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final tie between the clubs…won 2-1 by Renfrew.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. First Round: Dunipace v Lanark Utd.

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

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

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

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

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