JOHN SWEENEY'S return to the Junior ranks has lasted only 90 minutes so far but already he has come across familiar issues as a Pollok player.

The 26-year-old played for the Southside giants under Jim Sinnett in 2010 before a four-year stint in the Senior ranks with Clyde came to an abrupt end when he obtained his release last month.

Senior and Junior suitors were after him but the Bishopbriggs-based midfielder opted to pick up in the Juniors where he left off by signing for Lok boss Tony McInally.

Now Sweeney is itching to cap his comeback with a winning second debut at Newlandsfield today against Super First Division rivals Irvine Vics.

"Newlandsfield holds a lot of happy memories for me from when I first joined Pollok and was the baby-faced youngster," he said. "The supporters offered great encouragement to me. Coming back was a ­no-brainer - I loved the atmosphere around the place first time and to my mind nothing has changed even though the club are no longer among the Super Premier top-flight."

He feels everyone still wants to beat Pollok - as was shown last weekend in Lok's Super First opener against Greenock.

"We outclassed them first half with a display of passing football that would have put most Junior sides to the sword but a combination of Greenock rolling up the sleeves and our players not turning up second half made for a most uncomfortable time of it."

Lok were lucky to win 2-1 and Sweeney added: "It was a sharp lesson for what we can expect to come up against."

Sweeney previously played with Lok greats Bryan Dingwall, Robert Downs and Stevie Aitchison so it is praise indeed that he is impressed with his new team-mates.

"Findlay Frye signed at the same time as myself and is a real midfield terrier," he said. "Paul Gallagher is a rock-solid defender while Davie Winters is in a class of his own and has to be up there with Dingy as one of the best strikers I've played alongside."

Graham McLaren sits out today's clash because of his red carding against Greenock but Lok boss Macca reckons he will be able to field his strongest line-up of the season.

He said: "We are in decent shape with a number of niggling injuries having cleared up along with the introduction of Frye and Sweeney.

"They were excellent down at Greenock and I'm sure Pollok's supporters will appreciate what they bring."

Rob Roy will likewise try to build on a winning start against injury-ravaged Thorniewood United at Guys Meadow. Landlords Cumbernauld United - fresh from their Euroscot Eng Cup semi-final win midweek - will need to get back down to earth for their trip to managerless Ardeer Thistle.

Shettleston take on Ayrshire opponents for the second week in a row with the visit of a Largs Thistle desperate to get back on the rails after losing 1-0 in their Super First opener at home to Rutherglen Glencairn.

Theesel gaffer Sandy McLean admitted: "We're no different to every other side

in wanting to make a decent start to our league campaign, but this week's run of four games has left my players dead on their feet."

SATURDAY 2pm kick-offs

Stagecoach Super Premier: Shotts v Auchinleck, Glenafton v Hurlford, Kilbirnie v Petershill, Beith v Arthurlie, Irvine Meadow v Troon, Cumnock v Clydebank.

Super First: Shettleston v Largs, Glencairn v Kilsyth, Yoker v Greenock, Pollok v Irvine Vics, Ardeer v Cumbernauld, Maybole v Neilston, Rob Roy v Thorniewood.

Central First: Dunipace v Maryhill, Bellshill v Carluke, Lanark v Vale of Clyde, Ashfield v Lesmahagow, Larkhall v Blantyre Vics, Wishaw v Benburb, St Anthony's v Renfrew.

Central Second: Rossvale v Royal Albert, St Roch's v East Kilbride, Newmains v Perthshire, Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven.

Ayrshire District: Kilwinning v Girvan, Kello v Saltcoats, Lugar v Dalry, Craigmark v Darvel, Muirkirk v Whitletts, Annbank v Winton Rovers.