DAVID GALT has urged his Blantyre Vics team-mates to make sure of stepping up into the Super First Division rather than wait for other teams to decide their fate.

The Vics - on course for a promotion place at the very least - have the opportunity to go second top of the table if they overcome leaders Bellshill Athletic in a crunch encounter at Fullarton Park tonight.

Defeat, however, would see a 16-point gap opened up by Brian McGinty's side that even the never-say-die Galt reckons will be difficult to close in the battle to be crowned champions.

He said: "Losing tonight does not in any way make the title race a foregone conclusion, but it would leave us needing close to perfection in our remaining games.

"And that's probably too tall an order at this stage in the season when tired legs are trying to cope with the games coming thick and fast.

"Things can still go wrong, even if we come out on top tonight, but victory gives us breathing room which might prove very crucial over the run-in."

In other key contests, in-form Pollok host Largs Thistle knowing a victory - combined with a Rob Roy defeat at the hands of Rutherglen Glencairn - will ensure the Newlandsfield side are crowned champions.

Meanwhile, one never fails to be captivated by the onset of midweek fixtures lighting the fuse for terracing whispers about players who are thought to be on the verge of cutting ties with their clubs and heading for pastures new.

The success enjoyed by Queen's Park boss Gus MacPherson last time out after making a series of raids on the Junior ranks is recognised by the Spiders meeting Arbroath in a League One play-off first-leg clash tonight and, even more so, by former Petershill playmaker Paul Woods being nominated on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland League Two Player of the Year.

No real surprise, therefore, to hear Gus is reported to targeting Jamie McKernon (Glenafton) and Joe Bradley (Beith) among others.

And it is understood that Barry Ferguson at Clyde is apparently still on the trail of Auchinleck Talbot striker David Gormley - who he tried without success to sign during last January's transfer window - and Chris Duff (Rob Roy), on top of competing with St Mirren for the signature of lightning quick Petershill winger Mark Lamont.

It's not all one way traffic, however, as ex-Irvine Meadow midfielder Darren Miller has been training with his former Ayrshire team-mates, although he is also believed to have held talks with Pollok, Hurlford and Auchinleck.

And Medda full-back Mark Sideserf could be heading for Newlandsfield to be reunited with his former Shotts gaffer, Tony McInally, even though Macca poured scorn on the persistent transfer rumours which have also him linked with Colin Williamson (Cumnock), Greg Maitland (Yoker) and the Petershill duo of Ross McCabe and Tony Stevenson.

He said: "If I was to sign all of the players said to be coming to Pollok next season then planning permission would be needed for a bigger dressing room.

"I'm not saying there will not be any comings and goings, but any approaches we make can only come now that it's been established for certain what division we are playing in next season.

"The sheer quality in the Super Premier dictates we will need a greater strength in depth to our squad as Pollok are a club expected to compete with the big boys and not just survive among them.

"And, if we manage to get things right during the close season, then I'd like to think we will be competitive at the very least."

If other predicted transfer moves come to fruition, then Petershill are set to be stripped of another two players, with wide midfielder Richie Burke earmarked for Beith, while versatile defender Graeme Girvan is bound for Irvine Meadow.

Elsewhere, the first of an anticipated raft of managerial changes has occurred at Cambuslang Rangers where John Doyle was relieved of his duties at the Central Second Division outfit's AGM.

TONIGHT Kick-offs 7pm

Stagecoach Super Premier: Hurlford Utd v Troon.

Super First: Shettleston v Neilston, Greenock v Yoker, Pollok v Largs Thistle, Rob Roy v Rutherglen Glencairn, Ardeer Thistle v Irvine Vics.

Central First: Benburb v Larkhall Thistle, Bellshill Athletic v Blantyre Vics, Carluke Rovers v Lesmahagow.

Central Second Division: Johnstone Burgh v East Kilbride Thistle.

Ayrshire Cup first round. Saltcoats Vics v Auchinleck Talbot.