A CLUTCH of ex-Pollok players return to their former Newlandsfield pastures tomorrow, and John Richardson believes that could spell trouble for his team.

The gaffer admits to feeling concerned that Iain Diack, Kevin Bradley, Jordan Smith, Roddy Hunter and Robbie Henderson will be hugely motivated by having the southside spotlight turned upon them once again when Rob Roy come calling.

And there's no doubting who among the visitors poses the biggest threat to his side's hopes of progressing up the Super Premier table. Outstanding hitman Diack, whose 22-goal haul in 21 starts since joining the Rabs has established him as a firm favourite with the Kirkintilloch fans, will be the one to watch.

Rich said: "Diars is enjoying the best scoring form of his career and he will relish coming back here, as I expect will all the former Pollok guys.

"Their presence at Adamslie Park has paved the way for Jimmy Lindsay to build himself a really strong side and I would fully expect the Rabs to be challenging for all the game's major honours this season.

"I'm hoping we show an even greater desire to pull off a big league win against one of the main title challengers."

Diack owned up to having fond memories of turning out for the southsiders, however he will have no hesitation in putting his old club to the sword.

He said: "It's no secret that I really loved my time at Pollok and you'll never hear me saying a bad word about the club.

"But now I'm a Rob Roy player and it's my job to give my utmost for them, so you can bet that I won't be putting the tools away just because I' m going back to play against my former club.

"We've started the season well and have been getting a lot of plaudits for our displays, but we all know that for every person wanting to build us up there's a critic waiting to have a go at us if things go wrong.

"Nobody is letting the praise go to our heads and I'm focused on nothing more than keeping our winning run going, even if it is at Pollok's expense."

The Kirkintilloch outfit did the Super Premier double over Lok last season and gaffer Lindsay would love nothing more than to continue that run.

Lindsay said: "We're preparing ourselves for a tough 90 minutes, as it always is when you play Pollok on their own patch, but if our guys can perform to the same levels they've shown of late then we'll do well.

"It's a massive game for the ex-Pollok contingent, but sympathy won't be allowed to sway my team selection because we'll pick 11 Rob Roy players to beat them regardless of their past allegiances."

Lindsay revealed he has injury concerns over Darren Miller, Scott Adam, Kieron McAleenan and Willie Easton, as well as a number of players carrying niggles from last weekend's 11-1 rout of Burghead Thistle.

He said: "You can't expect to dish out a heavy beating in the Juniors without taking a few bruises in the process, and the down side is we now have one or two guys struggling to be passed fit for facing Pollok.

"Both Robbie Henderson and Roddy Hunter, who haven't had a lot of game time in recent weeks managed to cram in 90 minutes and they'll come into our thoughts for tomorrow.

"Diars is a shoe-in as he's been scoring for fun recently and having known him ever since he was a 16-year-old, I have never seen Iain so ruthless and confident in his own abilities."

Tomorrow's fixtures

Emirates Scottish Junior Cup. Second round (2.30pm kick-offs): Stoneyburn v Maryhill, Rossvale v Ardeer Thistle, Dalry Thistle v Cumbernauld Utd, Lochgelly Albert v Johnstone Burgh, Armadale Thistle v Hall Russell, Dunipace v Livingston Utd, Pumpherston v Whitehills, Wishaw v Beith, Shettleston v Cruden Bay, Royal Albert v Montrose Roselea, Thorniewood v Dundee NE, Glenrothes v Benburb, Falkirk v Hermes, Girvan v Penicuik, Arthurlie v Broxburn, Bonnyrigg Rose v Maud, Edinburgh Utd v Scone Thistle, Kelty Hearts v Renfrew, Steelend Vics v Lossiemouth Utd. Second round replays: St Anthony's v Longside, Kinnoull v Carluke Rovers, Port Glasgow v Jeanfield Swifts.

Stagecoach Super League Premier Division: Glenafton v Ashfield, Pollok v Rob Roy, Shotts Bon Accord v Petershill, Irvine Meadow v Cumnock, Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank.

Super First: Kilsyth Rangers v Kilbirnie, Largs v Maybole, Hurlford Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Yoker v Rutherglen Glencairn, Winton Rovers v Kello.

Central District First: East Kilbride Thistle v Bellshill, St Roch's v Greenock, Lanark Utd v Larkhall Thistle, Neilston v Lesmahagow.

Central District Second: Vale of Leven v Forth, Vale of Clyde v Newmains Utd.

Ayrshire District: Muirkirk v Kilwinning, Lugar v Irvine Vics, Troon v Saltcoats Vics, Craigmark v Annbank.

New Coin Holdings Cup. First round: Whitletts Vics v Blantyre Vics.