KILBIRNIE new boy Billy Gibson is expecting a whole new ball game when he makes his debut for the Blasties at home to Largs tomorrow night.

The sight of the classy defender running out at Valefield Park for the first time will be a needed morale-booster for Ladeside fans following Saturday's opening 1-1 Ardagh Glass Cup draw with Dalry Thistle.

The Ayrshire club is the latest stopping-off point for 33-year-old Gibson in a meandering career that has taken him from Rangers to Partick Thistle, St Pat's in Ireland, Clyde, Ayr and Alloa.

More recently he spent two seasons in the East Region of the Junior ranks with Linlithgow Rose before announcing his retirement at the end of last season - then changing his mind when Kilbirnie came calling.

Gibson admits he will face a tough task adjusting to life in the West. But he is adamant he is up to the challenge.

He said: "While at Linlithgow I faced Arthurlie, Auchinleck Talbot, Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Shotts Bon Accord.

"Those matches taught me to expect a whole different ball game in the West Region.

"Players tend to be a bit more aggressive and committed but I'm certainly not running scared at the prospect of that."

It's easy to believe that Gibson will find the adjustment easier to make than most.

He started out with Rangers as a central midfielder alongside other up-and-coming youngsters Bob Malcolm, Peter McDonald, Stephen Hughes, Alan Hutton and Alan McGregor.

In 2012 he joined Rose, where he played an integral role in their unbeaten league campaign and a superb Scottish Junior Cup run that ended in a 1-0 loss to Auchinleck in the 2013 final.

Gibson, who played right-back in that match, recalled: "I had never intended playing at Junior level until Linlithgow boss Mark Bradley and his coaches Marvin Wilson and Derek Fleming, both former team-mates of mine, got to work on persuading me.

"They did me a massive favour as I thoroughly enjoyed my time through at Prestonfield, playing in a superb football team.

"But we came in for a shedload of criticism when we struggled last season. Sadly, Mark and his coaches felt compelled to leave."

Gibson admitted that the departure of the Rose management team helped him make up his mind to quit playing at the end of last season to concentrate on his work commitments with British Rail.

He revealed: "I was open about my plans and said all my goodbyes to the people at Linlithgow and let all my close friends know I was hanging up the boots.

"It was a bit embarrassing to reveal I'd had a change of heart and would be joining Kilbirnie. For that you can blame my ex-Rose team-mates Chris Wilson, Stevie Meechan and Ian Diack.

"They all signed for Ladeside this summer then got on my case about joining them in Ayrshire.

"Ian is a proven goalscorer, Chris is a terrific battler and Stevie is a classy passer. Having them here will help me no end."

Gibson is now looking forward to teaming up with another former Gers youth player to take on the best the West has to offer.

He added: "I remember Chris Craig as an outstanding prospect at Rangers who was sensational with the ball at his feet. I'm more than a little surprised he is in the Juniors because he was arguably the cream of a great crop of kids at Ibrox back then.

"It will be great to play alongside Chris in the Super Premier Division. The sheer quality of the sides is awesome. I also can't wait to face Beith in a derby.

"The first of those is due next Saturday but right now all my focus is on getting a good start against Largs and hopefully making a good impression with supporters and team-mates."

Gibson also faced Kilbirnie's co-managers Stevie Swift and Mark Crilly in their playing days.

He added: "Swifty was a very athletic defender at Stranraer while Mark was an accomplished midfielder at Ayr and Raith.

"Both were determined to be winners as players and their approach hasn't changed much."

Blasties co-boss Swift said: "Billy is a level-headed guy who is prepared to do whatever is necessary for the team.

"Mark and I are thrilled to have him on board."

TUESDAY'S FIXTURE

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup. Section 2: Carluke v Forth (7.45).

WEDNESDAY'S FIXTURES

Kick-offs 6.45pm

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup.

Section 2: Shotts Bon Accord v Wishaw.

Section 3: Bellshill Athletic v St Roch's, Thorniewood Utd v Shettleston.

Section 4: Cambuslang Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Rutherglen Glencairn v East Kilbride Thistle.

Section 5:Arthurlie v Pollok, St Anthony's v Neilston.

Section 6: Yoker v Maryhill, Ashfield v Clydebank.

Section 7: Johnstone Burgh v Renfrew, Vale of Leven v Port Glasgow.

Section 8: Dunipace v Cumbernauld Utd, Rob Roy v Rossvale(Guy's Meadow).

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup.

Section 1: Beith v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Dalry Thistle v Kilbirnie Ladeside v Largs Thistle.

Section 2: Irvine Meadow v Ardeer Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Vics, Darvel v Hurlford Utd.

Section 3: Girvan v Troon, Whitletts Vics v Annbank Utd, Maybole v Craigmark.

Section 4: Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock, Lugar v Kello Rovers, Glenafton v Muirkirk.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

Kick-offs 2pm

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup.

Section 1: Lanark Utd v Lesmahagow, Royal Albert v Larkhall Thistle.

Section 2: Carluke Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord, Newmains Utd v Forth.

Section 3: Bellshill Athletic v Thorniewood Utd, Petershill v St Roch's.

Section 4: Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Blantyre Vics v Vale of Clyde.

Section 5: Benburb v Pollok (Newlandsfield), Arthurlie v St Anthony's.

Section 6: Glasgow Perthshire v Maryhill, Clydebank v Yoker

Section 7: Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven, Greenock v Renfrew.

Section 8: Cumbernauld v Rob Roy, Kilsyth Rangers v Rossvale.

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup.

Section 1: Dalry Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Beith, Largs Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers

Section 2: Darvel v Ardeer Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Meadow.

Section 3: Maybole v Girvan, Whitletts Vics v Troon, Craigmark v Annbank.

Section 4: Cumnock v Lugar, Kello Rovers v Glenafton.