Hard not to believe Tony McInally's tongue was firmly in his cheek last night when he delivered a most underwhelming half term report on Pollok's storming Super First Division campaign.

More than diehard Lok supporters think the tabletopping Newlandsfield outfit have been consistent to a fault in winning ten, drawing two and losing just once (3-2 away to Shettleston ) in an anything but unlucky 13 opening league games and they are being openly tipped as champions elect in most quarters yet team boss Macca was not for talking up his side's early season achievements.

He said: "Our 3-0 weekend victory over Greenock has now moved us onto 32 points and all that total does is guarantee our safety from relegation.

"People might think me over cautious but this is a Division where crazy things happen in the second half of the season and teams can go off the rails while others embark on long winning runs so I'm pleased to know we are safe regardless of what happens from here on.

"Yes I'd like the players to kick on and look to win the title but the likes of Shettleston, Rob Roy and Cumbernauld United will have their sights trained on finishing top of the pile and I can envisage them mounting strong challenges in the coming months

"However, it's a great source of great comfort to know we have already played all of these teams away from home and now they must visit Newlandsfield where we have remained unbeaten this season."

Pollok's defeat of Greenock thanks to goals from Kevin Bradley(2) and John Sweeney was not one of their better displays according to hard taskmaster Macca.

" Going 1-0 up inside the opening five minutes followed by the red carding of Greenock player Martin McGowan on the half hour mark contributed in no small part to our guys playing within their comfort zone and never really getting out of second gear." he insisted.

"It was disappointing that we never scored again until the closing stages and this inability to kill off opposing teams when we are on top is a failing that must be addressed before it comes back to haunt us in a game that counts.

"Ardeer Thistle whom we beat 3-0 at home are our next up opponents and I'm expecting a much tougher encounter down at the Ardeer Stadium particularly with Finlay Frye , Guiseppe Capuano and Ryan McBeth posted missing through holiday commitments."

Pollok and arch rivals Arthurlie are being strongly linked with signing approaches for transfer listed Petershill full back Craig Palmer and the ambitious Macca makes no secret of his desire to boost playing resources.

However, in much the same way as he avoided full backs in his playing days , he sidestepped direct questions about his reported interest in Palmer but did admit,

"I think it only right that a club of Pollok's stature should be actively looking to strengthen whenever the opportunity presents itself.

"But the Catch 22 situation we find ourselves in is whether now is the time to dabble in the transfer market and improve our hopes of making a fist of it in the two main Cup competitions where we are going up against Super Premier opponents in Cumnock and Hurlford United.

"The alternative is to carry on as we are and wait for the summer months before making moves but one thing for certain is there needs to be comings and goings on the playing front if we are fortunate enough to get back among the big guns next season."

In other Super First clashes , Rob Roy are set to include new midfield signing Lee Davidson ex-Queens Park when they go all out to inflict a fourth consecutive league defeat on Greenock and a newcomer is also likely to be on show in the Greenfield Park showdown between second top Shettleston and fifth placed Cumbernauld United.

A temporary loan deal has been struck between United and Petershill which has out-of-favour Peasy striker Stevie McDonald joining the Guys Meadow outfit in exchange for Dominic O'Halloran moving to Springburn.

Rutherglen Glencairn hope to have injured trio Marc Russell, Sean McGuire and Mark Bishop back in harness as they look to bounce back from the 4-1 weekend defeat by Neilston which saw the Glens finish with only 8 men.

Meanwhile, the form book points to a resurgent Kilsyth Rangers - just one defeat in eight league games - taking the spoils at home to a Yoker Athletic side bidding to avert a fifth consecutive Super First defeat.