Renowned goalscorer John Gemmell is quite happy to show his versatility by springing to the defence of Cambuslang Rangers.

The seasoned striker, who turned 33 yesterday, spearheaded his side’s attack in last week’s Central Sectional Cup defeat by Clydebank, yet three days later he was playing at the heart of the Somervell Park outfit’s back line in their 2-1 Super First Division triumph against derby rivals Rutherglen Glencairn.

And the likelihood is his no-nonsense pairing with the similarly redoubtable Chris Smith will be given the nod again when joint table-toppers Lang take to the road seeking a fourth consecutive league win away to Cumbernauld United on Saturday.

The former Clyde, Dumbarton, Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir hitman said: “I’ll play wherever the manager, Paul McColl, thinks it’s best for the team but I am certainly enjoying this new role.

“I feel it’s a blessing in disguise to have gone out of the Sectional Cup as the players, myself included, are now able to work on the training ground at making ourselves a better defensive unit rather than just preparing for midweek games which has been our lot up to now.

“The gaffer has brought good quality defenders to the club but if he feels my experience and willingness to talk to guys around me brings something extra to Cambuslang Rangers then who am I to argue with him.”

Team boss McColl has hinted that Gemmell will continue in the Lang rearguard.

“John is a motivator out on the pitch as well a big character in and around our dressing room and we first asked him to play at the back in an earlier game this season against St Rochs when he was the best player on the field by a country mile,” McColl said.

“He’s happy to be facing the game, is close to unbeatable in the air as well as very comfortable with the ball at his feet, and has the vision to pick out team-mates with long searching passes so right at this moment he’s doing the team a real turn.

“It’s still in my mind to use him up front when needs must and it has crossed my mind that Saturday might be one of those occasions as he has the physicality to cope with the big Cumbernauld defenders Terry Hewitt and Paul Murphy. They are aggressive ball-winning types who put the fear of God into opposing forwards but I fancy John would be a match for them.”

Cumbernauld’s towering team skipper Hewitt was unaware of Gemmell’s likely positional switch when looking forward to the Guys Meadow clash.

“Word has it he is no shrinking violet and likes to put himself about so I was looking forward to a physical challenge as you rarely get the opportunity to go up against big strikers nowadays,” he said.

“I’d much rather face him rather than try to cope with Cambuslang’s regular front man Calum McRobbie who has pace to burn.”

Hewitt is hoping United reached a turning point in their season last weekend after a first league victory in three starts when fighting back from 2-0 down to finish 5-4 winners away to Darvel.

“Saturday was a massive result for us, and we showed the character and battling qualities that were sadly lacking when we lost our opening league games against Renfrew and Petershill.

“Bouncing back in the manner we did could be the start of something big because there is no doubt Cumbernauld have the players to make a big splash this season.”

In action last night, nine-man Pollok made it through to the Central Sectional Cup final following a 2-0 victory over Renfrew. Adam Forde and Gary McCann were the scorers while Stefan McLuskey and Alan McKenzie were the players sent off.