POLLOK’S playing squad this season was always going to evoke plenty of talking points following the high profile acquisitions of such as Bryan Young, Martin McGoldrick, Stefan McLuskey, Adam Forde and Ross Brash to name but a handful.

Yet it’s probably true to say the name to be heard coming from most lips in and around the Newlandsfield terracing slopes is that of Mouhamed Niang, better known as Sena, a 17-year-old Senegalese-born player who has made the step up into the Junior ranks from captaining Pollok’s Under 19 nursery team.

His contribution to the Southside club’s impressive early-season performances has been nothing short of outstanding and Lok boss Tony McInally has undoubtedly “pulled a rabbit from the hat” through his calling up the young centre-back to deploy him in a holding midfielder role.

Sena has not looked out of place alongside more seasoned team-mates and has shown himself to be the perfect foil for Brash and five times Scottish Cup winner Young who reckons the teenager is destined for greater things.

He said: “I see Pollok as a stepping stone for Sena as he has all the physical qualities, temperament and ability to go on and play at the top Senior level and I’d be willing to put money on seeing a lot of scouts at our games,” remarked Butch.

Pollok gaffer McInally is delighted at the recognition for his young discovery but is at the same time wary of him attracting too much hype at this early stage in his footballing development.

He insisted: “What we have to remember is that Sena is just a kid albeit one who is holding down a place in our team right now.

“What’s really pleasing is the fact he is signed on a dual contract basis because he stands out as a truly outstanding central defender whenever he plays in his own age group and it would be grossly unfair on the lad not to play games at that level.

“Things are slightly different in the Juniors and he possibly needs to fill out a bit more to deal with the physical side of playing at the back, however his height and agility make him ideal for operating in a midfield screening role.

“His emergence has helped no end to compensate for the absence of Colin Williamson who carried a slight groin tear injury into this season and is still getting back to full fitness and Liam Rowan whose work commitments have stopped him kicking a ball for us up to now.

“And we expect them to be available soon and competing for jerseys but that’s not to say Sena will be dropping out of the picture.

“His development will only be enhanced by training and playing alongside the quality players we have in the side and learning not only from how they conduct themselves but also by taking on board the little nuggets of information they feed him.”

Macca scoffed: “And the arrangement works both ways as Sena is promising to teach Youngy some dress sense.”

Meanwhile, neutral Junior fans are tipped to swell the Bellsdale Park crowd on Monday night for what is shaping as an intriguing Ardagh Glass Cup head-to-head between fierce rivals Beith and Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Postponed last midweek on account of a waterlogged pitch, the last remaining group stage contest has huge implications for the home team given that a derby win would enable them to leapfrog over Largs Thistle and into the Ardagh Section One runners-up spot to earn a quarter-final clash away to Hurlford United just 48 hours later.

Kilbirnie are totally out of the qualification running and may have nothing to play for in a tangible sense, however Blasties supporters will be desperately hoping Budgie McGhie’s men can avoid defeat and spike the Mighty guns by enabling Largs to claim a last-eight place.

The Ardagh quarter-final pairings confirmed for next Wednesday night are Hurlford United v Beith or Largs Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers v Irvine Vics, Girvan v Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton v Craigmark.

Tie of the round in the Central Sectional Cup last eight is the Holm Park meeting of Clydebank and cup holders Rob Roy which provides an opportunity for the Bankies to avenge last season’s 2-1 defeat by the Rabs at the exact same stage.

The remaining quarter-final showdowns are Forth Wanderers v Pollok, Renfrew v Gartcairn, Cambuslang Rangers v St Roch's.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie Com Super Premier Division: Girvan v Arthurlie, Glenafton v Clydebank, Hurlford Utd v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Cumnock, Pollok v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot.

McBookie Com Super First Division: Cambuslang Rangers v Kilsyth Rangers, Darvel v Larkhall Thistle, Largs Thistle v Maryhill, Petershill v Cumbernauld Utd, Renfrew v Rutherglen Glencairn, Shettleston v Kello Rovers, Troon v Irvine Meadow.

McBookie Com Central First Division: Benburb v Rossvale, East Kilbride Thistle v Shotts Bon Accord, Forth Wanderers v Greenock, Lesmahagow v Port Glasgow, Thorniewood Utd v Blantyre Vics,Yoker Athletic v Wishaw.

McBookie Com Central Second Division: Ashfield v Johnstone Burgh, Dunipace v Bellshill Athletic, Newmains Utd v Carluke Rovers, Royal Albert v Gartcairn, Vale of Clyde v Lanark Utd, Vale of Leven v St Anthony's.

McBookie Com Ayrshire District Division: Annbank Utd v Craigmark, Ardeer Thistle v Maybole, Irvine Vics v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Muirkirk v Whitletts Vics, Saltcoats Vics v Lugar Boswell.