LET’S face it, Rob Roy have been in the shadows of Junior football for a long time but that is patently not the case going into the business end of the current 2016/17 season.

The Central Sectional League Cup is already taking up a measure of trophy cabinet space, however the preening over that success has long since stopped as the Rabs have trained their sights on three remaining silverware fronts…it was four until their Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final demise at the hands of Bonnyrigg Rose last month.

It goes without saying that the biggest (and most rewarding) prize is the Super Premier Division title and it’s only natural if most of their dressing room focus is on being crowned champions some time in May not least because their record in the previous 14 years of history shared by the West Region elite can only be considered less than respectable.

Harsh on them? Well the Kirkintilloch outfit are certainly not alone in this respect given only five clubs have savoured flag unfurling days up to now…Auchinleck Talbot (five times), Pollok (four), Irvine Meadow (three), Kilwinning Rangers and Beith.

Rob Roy can do themselves a massive favour and boost hopes of expanding this shortlist to six strong by going top of the pile on Saturday (with seven league games to play) through a Guys Meadow win over Arthurlie and nothing does more to nourish optimism about their chances than the return to playing action of fit-again Shaun Fraser.

He came off the substitutes bench to feature for 25 minutes against Largs Thistle last weekend and having put in a couple of stiff training sessions alongside team-mates is now in contention for his first starting appearance in fully two months.

Team boss Stewart Maxwell said: “I stated when signing Shaun that Rob Roy were getting the most prolific goalscoring midfielder in the Junior game and I see no need to change that opinion.

“He’s been nothing short of terrific for us since signing last summer and his return to the fray at this very critical stage of the season is a marvellous lift for everyone connected with the club.

“We have to be winning more games than not to stand any chance of finishing in top spot and we’ll undoubtedly be better placed for our run-in if Shaun is back in the side doing what he does best.

Kevin Watt’s recovery from a shorter term injury knock will also help leave Rob Roy better placed for the visit of the Barrhead men whose management team comprises of former Rob Roy striker Chris Mackie and his No.2 and ex-Rabs gaffer Jimmy Lyndsay.

Maxi continued: “We always get a tough game of it against Arthurlie and I don’t expect any different this time but I’d like to think the added motivation from knowing we can go back atop the table by picking up all three points can work in our favour.

“And our playing squad is a lot stronger for getting a few more bodies back…Danny Boyle and Kieron Campbell were both cup-tied for the Largs game…and Willie Sawyers will be in better fettle after playing last week when he hadn’t managed a wink of sleep on the Friday night.

“Our title ambitions are very much in our own hands as we still have games to play against the other challengers Auchinleck, Beith and Glenafton (twice) but it’s vital we do not allow ourselves to be blinkered and think our other games are a formality.

“This is a League where everyone can beat everyone and you can bet on there being a few surprise results before anything gets decided.”

In other top flight contests, fourth-placed Beith are determined to avoid a fourth consecutive share of the spoils but will not find points gathering easy at home to relegation battling Largs Thistle, while another side hovering around the basement area, Hurlford United, will be going all out to ease their drop fears with a victory over Pollok at Blair Park.

Second bottom of the standings Kilwinning Rangers will be looking to profit from any slip-ups by their rivals by coming out on top at home to Cumnock whose free-scoring striker Scott Anson can prepare for a physical battle with the every bit as brawny Buffs stopper Martin Campbell whose return to the heart of Kilwinning’s defence was sparked by the departure of veteran Stevie Swift to take up the team manager’s role at Lowland League outfit BSC Glasgow.

Swifty, who will be assisted by his ex-Kilbirnie Ladeside No.2 Michael Moore and former Dumbarton coach Ritchie Salveta, said: “I’ve never hid my longing to get back into coaching and Chris might feel disappointed to lose me at this stage but he was well aware of my ambitions when I started playing with his team.

“He’s a top gaffer and I thoroughly enjoyed playing under him at Abbey Park and feel confident he has the ability and drive to keep the Buffs up.

“My own immediate aims are to try and assess the BSC playing strengths in the three games remaining in our season and identify where improvements can be made to turn the team into a title challenger next season.

“This league is a whole new ball game after so many years at Junior level and I’m really looking forward to giving it my best shot.”