It never fails to amaze how a frenzy of transfer activity is sparked by clubs seeking to ready themselves for crunch Scottish Junior Cup ties.

Fitting that bill more than most are Shettleston, who have racked up 16 league points out of a possible 21 to top the Central First Division standings.

Nevertheless, boss Hugh Kelly has ambitions of cup glory and has bolstered his squad with a hat-trick of new signings before a second-round date with Kilsyth Rangers on Saturday.

Former Town midfielder Jamie Doyle has returned from Shotts Bon Accord and Kelly has also fixed up Tower Hearts winger Kyle Robertson as well as Glasgow Perthshire defender-cum-midfielder Kyle Lochhead.

All three featured in last week's 9-1 New Coin Holdings Cup win over Saltcoats Vics, in which Doyle netted a couple of goals and was only denied a hat-trick by the over-eager Robertson touching home the midfielder's net-bound shot while clearly offside.

Doyle said: "Moving to Shotts in the close season was a major mistake, but I've only myself to blame.

"I had thought about hanging up my boots after leaving the Town, but was persuaded by Tam McDonald to go along for a few training sessions and I then took part in a couple of friendly matches before reverting to my original decision to call it a day.

"A few weeks later I was back at Hannah Park and holding down a place in the team but I just wasn't enjoying it even though I was treated fabulously by Tam and everyone connected with the club.

"I felt an absolute fraud for not being in the mood for training and games while other guys were knocking their pan in without getting a place in the team.

"Matters were getting me down so I took the bull by the horns and explained how I felt to Tam, who was sympathetic and good enough to release me from my contract."

The lure of playing for local side Shettleston enticed Doyle into returning to Greenfield Park. He said: "It's mainly the same bunch of guys I played with last season, so settling in was never going to be a problem. I enjoyed the game against Saltcoats where the margin of victory was astonishing when you consider Brian McEwan was sent off early for a mistimed challenge.

"Coming under Hugh's wing again is not a problem as I know from old what to expect. He'll verbally slaughter you if your display merits being slaughtered but you won't hear a peep from him if you do well ... it's his equivalent of praise."

The long-serving Town gaffer said: "I didn't want Jamie to leave us during the summer and I'm delighted to have him back on board. His experience will be vital away to Kilsyth, particularly with Brian's moment of madness ruling him out by virtue of an automatic two-game ban.

"The two Kyles are also in my thoughts, particularly young Robertson, who also scored against Saltcoats."

Kilsyth Rangers ended an eight-game winless run with a 5-0 trouncing of Rossvale last Saturday. But the triumph has not brought about a change of heart from boss Eric Sinclair, who has confirmed he is not going back on last week's decision to quit the Super First Division outfit.