ANDY CAMERON is only looking onwards and upwards as he prepares to lead St Roch's into the second half of the season.

It has been a rollercoaster baptism for the fledgling Junior boss, who has manfully gone about the task of filling the Candy Rock dressing room with young and local players he believes will form the bedrock of his team in future years.

An opening-day 2-1 victory over Shettleston and a Scottish Junior Cup win over Whitburn rate as his memorable highs.

The downside was an early-season 10-2 pasting by Bellshill Athletic and last week's departure of prolific scoring striker TJ McLuskey, who was

recalled from a loan spell by Albion Rovers.

Andy said: "TJ netted 21 goals in 20 games as a St Roch's player, which is an astonishing return from someone whom I first came across playing for a Sunday League team by the name of Odd Woodland.

"Purely from a selfish viewpoint, I would have loved to keep him here for the rest of this season, but he has fully earned his opportunity to kick on and make a huge splash in the Senior game.

"He and Chris Dallas - recalled from a loan spell with Arthurlie - were both unused substitutes for Rovers last Saturday.

"So it remains to be seen whether they will form part of Cliftonhill manager Darren Young's plans going forward.

"But if he is deemed surplus to requirements at this stage, then hopefully we can again help his development into the finished article."

St Roch's started the New Year with a 3-2 away defeat by East Kilbride Thistle, but that has not diminished Cameron's enthusiasm for the fray.

And he is looking forward to making the short hop through to Springburn to go up against Central Second Division frontrunners Rossvale this Saturday.

He added: " We have fixed up local lads Robert McGuire, Michael Nelson and Stephen Bryson who are looking the part, particularly McGuire, who scored both our goals against EK.

"And yet another Garngad-born and raised youngster, Jamie Johnstone, has been loaned out to us from Annan Athletic, and our supporters are over the moon at having such a famous name playing on the wing for St Roch's."

The famous old Glasgow club are anything but unique in giving youth the chance to shine out on the pitch.

However, they might well go into the Junior record books for having the youngest-ever committee member in 16-year-old Ryan Carr.

The All Saints' Secondary schoolboy put his name forward when club officials recently made a request for younger members - and he is revelling in having an active role at the club he has supported since the age of 12.

Speaking before only his second committee meeting last night, Carr said: "Senior football is a bit on the pricey side and there's a group of 10 or 12 of us who have taken to following St Roch's everywhere and doing our best to create an atmosphere at their games.

"We really enjoy football at Junior level and it just seemed the right thing to do to step up to the plate when the people running the club asked for help. Getting involved with what goes on behind the scenes has been an eye opener, but I'm happy to do my share of the work and support the team in another way."

The mantle of Rossvale danger man undoubtedly belongs to striker Yami Misango, who scored four goals in last weekend's 5-1 defeat of Johnstone Burgh.

However, team boss Martin Lauchlan has a few more aces up his sleeve after sealing a deal with one of his former clubs, Partick Thistle.

That arrangement will see up-and-coming Jags youngsters Alex Cassells, Corey Irvine and James Beattie join the Bishopbriggs-based club until the end of this season.

Elsewhere, hard on the heels of Largs Thistle boss Sandy McLean tendering his resignation, comes word of Glenafton gaffer Tommy Bryce quitting his post in the wake of Saturday's 3-2 reverse against close rivals Cumnock.