IT LOOKS like Gus MacPherson, the newly installed boss of Queen's Park, has turned to the Junior ranks to source players capable of competing in SPFL League 2.

Groans and moans are openly greeting the sight of him and his Hampden Park No.2 Chris Hillcoat taking in games, after a series of signing raids to steal a number of the game's outstanding talents.

Petershill playmaker Paul Woods was one of their first high- profile captures and he is set to be joined in a new look Spiders' engine room next season by Irvine Meadow pair Darren Miller and Sean Fraser.

They have reputedly shaken hands on transfer deals while unconfirmed reports reckon Clydebank midfielder Vinnie Berry is another name on the Queen's signing radar.

Strikers are also in the management duo's sights, with Bankies top scorer Ross "Archie" McPherson reportedly eyed up last month on top of Shotts Bon Accord hitman Sean McKenna getting a run out in a recent trial game.

Talks are scheduled to take place with highly-rated Greenock frontman John Carter, who has also attracted the interest of Shotts and newly promoted Super Premier Division outfit Beith.

And it is hard not to believe that former Kilmarnock full-back MacPherson, an interested spectator when Troon clinched the Super First Division championship with a 5-0 defeat of Rutherglen Glencairn in midweek, could fail to have been impressed by the outstanding display served up by the Ayrshire side's 20-year-old right-back Gareth Armstrong.

Stern competition for the former Ayr United youngster could well come from Albion Rovers, who were also in attendance at the Clyde Gateway Stadium and the Lanarkshire club's gaffer Jim Ward is also believed to be vying with his Queen's Park counterpart for the signature of Clydebank winger Ciaran McElroy, who is in demand following a terrific debut season at this level which saw him capped for Scotland Juniors.

The traffic is not all one way, as Queen's midfielder Michael Keenan - who previously played for Arthurlie - has agreed to join Irvine Meadow where he is expected to team up with another of Stevie Rankin's priority targets, Jordan Murch of Petershill.

The 29-year-old Keenan said: "The chance to sign for one of the top Junior clubs and be challenging for the game's big prizes was too good to turn down and I'm already looking forward to the new season getting underway."

Further comings and goings at Meadow Park are imminent with striker Ryan Caddis and veteran stopper Mark Campbell thought to be mulling over a signing approach from Ardrossan Winton Rovers whose manager is ex-Medda boss Chris Strain.

Meanwhile, Pollok's top scorer Richie Barr has ended growing speculation on his whereabouts next season by confirming he will be making the switch to the Southside club's arch-rivals Arthurlie.

The 32-year-old marksman said: "My move is nothing to do with putting one over on Pollok and everything to do with what is right for me.

"Arthurlie are relatively local for me in terms of travelling which fits in well with my work commitments and the responsibilities of two young children.

"And over and above being impressed with the manager Gavin Duncan's plans, I am looking forward to working with Billy Peacock who was my gaffer at Renfrew for five years."

St Anthony's are looking to reward the loyalty of long serving club captain Ronnie McDonald with a testimonial match and dinner this Sunday.

The defender's 10 years unstinting service to the Ants will be marked with a prestigious McKenna Park game between Ronnie's Ants Legends and a Celtic Legends side comprising of Tom Boyd, Bobby Petta, Joe Miller, Rudi Vata and others (kick-off, 3pm).

Afterwards there will be a Testimonial Dinner held in St George's Parish Hall in Penilee with entertainment provided by well-known after dinner speaker John McKelvie and tickets for this bash (£15) are still available.

Ants club officials are hoping for a decent turnout of former players and supporters to pay tribute to Ronnie for sticking with the Govan club despite lucrative signing offers down through the years.