KILWINNING Rangers team boss Chris Strain has hailed the early season displays of Carlo Monti and tipped the skilful midfielder for a Scotland Juniors cap.

Speaking before his Buffs side faced Irvine Vics in their Ardagh Glass quarter-finals clash last night, Strain lauded the former Dundee and Morton ace’s contribution to Kilwinning’s unbeaten start in their opening six games.

“He has been nothing short of terrific since the season got underway, with his performance in last weekend’s 4-2 Super Premier Division victory over Cumnock as good as it gets in my book,” Strain said.

“He threaded a wonderful through ball to Davie Winters for our opening goal before winning us a penalty kick which he stuck away with style. He then conjured up a couple of sublime cross balls for Bryan Boylan to net.

“I’m not normally someone who singles out individuals but Carlo deserves a bit of recognition for his match-winning qualities and if he’s not going to be singing from the rooftops then I’m more than happy to do it for him.

“He’s a player who just oozes ability and goes about whatever job he’s asked to do in a very professional manner. If there’s a better middle to front player in Junior football then I’d love to see him.

“Carlo is a player I admired looking from afar when he was at Pollok and I think even more highly of him now I know him as a person.”

Strain urged Scotland Juniors boss Keith Burgess to come down to Ayrshire and see Monti and his team-mates in action

before naming his squad for the Quadrangular Tournament being played in October in Glasgow.

“I know Budgie has a tough job in trying to get around all the Junior regions to pick the best players but I’m pretty sure he would not have a wasted journey if he was to cast his eye over Carlo and possibly Bryan Boylan if he’s looking for a striker with genuine pace.”

Turning his attention to the Ayrshiremen’s next league game away to Clydebank on Saturday, Strain said: “I had the Bankies watched in their 1-0 defeat by the champ-ions Glenafton last weekend and reports back indicate they are a young side who were very unfort-unate to come away with nothing to show for their efforts.

“They were particularly impressive going forward and missed a number of clear-cut scoring chances so it’s vital we keep the back door closed early doors and don’t give them any encouragement.

“Our defensive set up against Cumnock raised a few eyebrows with Liam McLaughlin playing at the back. However, his job was made easy by the solid covering work of Mikey Morris and Joe Coleman in front of him.

“We’ll have a think about whether to go with the same formation but it’s in my thoughts to maybe throw in the aerial ability and combative qualities of Mark Campbell who was left out against Cumnock.

“It’s pleasing to have options this season, but we are anything but the finished article and will continue to remain on the lookout for the right player becoming available.”

Not all has worked out perfectly for Strain as he lost out in the race for the signature of Queen’s Park defender Ryan Docherty to Super Premier Division rivals Beith.

The 30-year-old’s stand-out displays with Rutherglen Glencairn last season earned him a step up to Hampden Park during the summer months.

However, he has never fully settled into the Senior football way of things and matters came to a head last midweek when he obtained his release from the Spiders.

This sparked a transfer stampede for his services which Beith boss Johnny Millar won and he could now be in line for his first start against Glenafton in what is arguably the West Region’s “game of the day” on Saturday.

Among other top-flight contests, Kilbirnie boss Budgie McGhie will be relying on in-form striker Jon Scullion to be at his best in seeking to take the spoils at home to Girvan while deeper into Ayrshire, a tense affair is envisaged when Cumnock and Pollok square up to each other at Townhead Park with both teams determined to bounce back from opening-day league defeats.

PLAYED LAST NIGHT

Central Sectional Cup quarter-finals: Renfrew 2 Gartcairn 2 (Renfrew win 6-5 on penalties), Cambuslang Rangers 4 St Rochs 0, Clydebank 3 Rob Roy 2.

Ardagh Glass Cup quarter-finals: Hurlford Utd 1 Largs Thistle 0, Kilwinning Rangers 2 Irvine Vics 2 (Kilwinning Rangers win 4-2 on penalties), Girvan 0 Auchinleck Talbot 3, Glenafton 7 Craigmark 0.