MICHAEL KEENAN always thought he would be back at Arthurlie one day but never in his wildest dreams did he think it would be playing for another Junior side.

The midfield powerhouse is hoping to run out at Dunterlie tomorrow wearing the colours of his new club Irvine Meadow whom he joined during the close season after calling time on his Senior career with Queen's Park.

The 29-year-old had quit Lie to head for Hampden Park during the summer of 2012 after experiencing two memorable seasons during which he picked up winner's medals in the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup and Evening Times Cup.

Ahead of his return to former fields of glory he said: "People have questioned my decision to join Queen's at the age of 27 but I had unfinished business there and wanted to prove a point after previously playing for them when initially stepping up as a 20-year-old from Busby Amateurs.

"Unfortunately the fierce competition for places during my first spell meant my appearances were few and far between and I soon became very disillusioned and jumped at the opportunity to move when Petershill made a signing approach.

"My confidence was soon restored from playing regularly with the Peasy and I then plumped for joining a very good Arthurlie side under Mark Cameron.

"Gavin Duncan was assistant coach so it's going to be strange looking over at their dugout tomorrow and seeing the tables turned with Gav managing and Branco as his No 2.

"Having so many good times there had me thinking I would eventually return to Dunterlie and Branco himself said the door would always be open for me, however I'm not expecting Gav and him to be laying down a welcome mat now that I'm coming back as an Irvine Meadow player.

"And neither am I anticipating anything other than verbals from the fans who once cheered me on, but hopefully it will be good natured stuff and nothing they can say will take away from the fond memories of my time there."

Keenan is looking forward to meeting up with former team- mates David Merriman, Mark Blakey, and Paul 'Tiny' Stewart who are all that remain from the side he played in.

He said: "The many changes that have taken place in such a relatively short space of time are maybe a cause behind Arthurlie's mixed fortunes in recent years but I've no doubt they will come to the fore again.

"Dunterlie used to be a place that other teams dreaded visiting and Gavin and Branco will be working hard with their players to bring back that fear factor and I wouldn't bet against them succeeding.

"But thinking Arthurlie are a good club with good people won't stop me giving every ounce of effort to try and pick up three points for Irvine Meadow because I play for them now and they have my loyalties tomorrow and hopefully for a long time to come."

Such is the wealth of playing riches at his disposal that Medda boss Stevie Rankin is contemplating a recall for Keenan, Grant Evans, Mark Staunton, Mark Sideserf, Paul McLaughlin and Ryan Deas who were all posted missing in midweek when the Irvine side succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Hurlford United.

The boss said: "We lost a first-minute goal and were then murdered for 35 minutes during which Hurlford put the game out of our reach.

"It was a sore one to take at the time and it still hurts thinking about things so I'm looking for a response from each and every Irvine Meadow player tomorrow afternoon.

"But it won't be easy pickings as Arthurlie are much improved from last season now that Gavin is putting his own stamp on the team."

The home side need a boost themselves after losing 2-1 against Blantyre Vics in the Euroscot Eng League Cup last eight on Wednesday night and defeat was an even more bitter pill to swallow through a horrific broken leg injury to midfielder Kyle Lafferty which threatens to keep him out of action until next spring.

The pick of the other top flight contests sees the remarkably consistent reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot - with only three league defeats to their name in two seasons - going all out for a perfect start to their three-in-a-row campaign when hosting Ayrshire rivals Beith.

The pace and movement of visiting front men Kenny McLean and Andy Reid may provide the sternest test yet for Talbot's rejigged backline, however Beith's very own veteran rearguard of thirty-somethings Zander Ryan, John Sheridan, Mark McShane, Kevin McDonald and Gary Wilson are likely to similarly be put through their paces should Bot boss Tommy Sloan opt to go with his full attacking hand of David Gormley, Keir Millican and the in-form Graeme Wilson.

Petershill and Shotts Bon Accord, two of the three Central-based clubs in the Super Premier Division, lock horns through at Springburn.

Peasy newcomers Mark Lamont and Scott Sally may sway things in the home team's favour against a still rebuilding Shotts side who had hoped to field ex-Rangers midfielder Gordon Dick as a trialist until he was lured away by ambitious Shettleston.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

Stagecoach Leagues. Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Beith, Hurlford Utd v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Petershill v Shotts Bon Accord, Clydebank v Glenafton, Arthurlie v Irvine Meadow, Troon v Cumnock.

Stagecoach Leagues. Super First Division: Largs Thistle v Rutherglen Glencairn, Greenock v Pollok, Cumbernauld Utd v Maybole, Thorniewood Utd v Yoker, Kilsyth Rangers v Rob Roy, Irvine Vics v Shettleston, Neilston v Ardeer Thistle. Stagecoach Leagues. Central First Division: Maryhill v Bellshill Athletic, Vale of Clyde v Ashfield, Blantyre Vics v Benburb, Larkhall Thistle v Renfrew, St Anthony's v Lesmahagow, Carluke Rovers v Dunipace, Wishaw v Lanark Utd.

Stagecoach Leagues. Central Second Division: Forth v Port Glasgow, Vale of Leven v Rossvale, East Kilbride Thistle v Newmains Utd, Royal Albert v Cambuslang Rangers, Glasgow Perthshire v Johnstone Burgh.

Stagecoach Leagues. Ayrshire District Division: Dalry Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers, Girvan v Kello Rovers, Whitletts Vics v Lugar Boswell, Winton Rovers v Craigmark, Darvel v Muirkirk, Saltcoats Vics v Annbank Utd.