Pollok skipper and Player of the Year from last season Mark McLennan could be on the verge of a shock return to Newlandsfield.

The 23-year-old - who captained the club as he picked up the player of the year award - turned down signing overtures from Tony McInally last summer to remain in the Super Premier with another of his former clubs, Irvine Meadow.

But he has endured a personal season from hell in making only occasional starting appearances with the Ayrshiremen.

The lack of game time and being forced to play second fiddle behind makeshift full-backs Michael Keenan and Grant Evans ended with him buying out his contract over the weekend and the breaking news of his free agent status has led to him becoming a signing target for a number of leading clubs.

Pollok, Beith, Cumnock and Shotts are all reported to be interested, however the Busby-based defender gave the strongest hint that a move back to Pollok would be his number one preference.

He said: "Leaving Pollok - who were desperate for me to stay on board - was a major gaffe and I must be the epitome of the person who finds the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.

"The funny thing is I started the season like a house on fire at Medda and was doing well enough to hold down a jersey, but getting sent off in an Ardagh Glass Cup game against Kilbirnie turned my season on its head.

"After serving my suspension I barely figured in the manager's plans, yet somehow I still ended up cup-tied in both the Scottish and West Cups, which is a status that might make clubs think twice about coming in for me.

"However, my sights are set on nothing more over the next few months than bedding myself down with the longer-term aim of playing regularly next season and getting back to the level where I can do my best.

"The interest shown in me is flattering, and I will take my time on making any decision as I want my next move to be the right one."

Meanwhile, Pollok are one of five teams going into in the hat for the Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final draw along with Auchinleck Talbot, holders Hurlford United, Musselburgh Athletic and Yoker Athletic, while the eventual winners from Linlithgow Rose v Camelon, Shettleston v Newtongrange Star and Penicuik Athletic v Rob Roy or Arthurlie are set to join them.

Yoker's weekend match-winner Ryan Frew reckons he and his team-mates can hold their own in this exalted company, however there are a couple of sides he would prefer to avoid.

The midfielder said: "In my first season Junior with Yoker we lost 4-2 in the last eight against Arthurlie, despite being 2-0 up, so I'd like to avoid them if they make it through.

"And the same applies to Musselburgh, who knocked out the very good Kilbirnie team I was part of in in 2011, and I have nothing but bad memories of our 2-0 defeat through there.

"It's no coincidence that both defeats came away from home, so I'm hoping my third appearance at the quarter-final stage will be a lucky one and that Yoker finally land a home draw."

Frew reckons the older heads in the Holm Park dressing room have a greater appreciation of what was achieved by overcoming Lesmahagow 1-0.

He said: "Younger guys like Greg Maitland and Davie Crerand didn't get over-excited and took our victory in their stride, but Mark McManus was on a real high after making it into the Scottish last eight for the first time in his 13 year Junior career."

Elsewhere, Central Second Division champions-elect Rossvale's wonderful achievements have not gone unnoticed across the water where League of Ireland First Division outfit Finn Harps are reportedly showing more than a passing interest in the managerial success being enjoyed by one of their former players, Martin Lauchlan.

The Donegal-based club have suffered a downturn in fortunes in recent seasons, and Lauchlan - highly regarded from a 2004 playing spell with The Harps - is seen as someone capable of bringing back the good times.