Murdie McKinnon has refused to talk up Pollok’s chances of WoSFL title success.

With the new season 15 weeks away optimistic noises are coming out of Glasgow's Southside although expectations are also high among the supporting legions of Auchinleck Talbot, Clydebank, Darvel and Kilwinning Rangers.

“People have to acknowledge the coming season will be like no other before or after,” insisted McKinnon.

“I’ve heard clubs like ourselves, that initially made the decision to withdraw from the league, will be disadvantaged due to our lack of playing action.

"Not a single team has been able to take part in matches, competitive or friendlies, since before Xmas so the reality is we are all on the same starting line again.

“Assuming spectators are allowed through the turnstiles and players can again have access to dressing rooms, then the single-biggest issue is likely to be how Premier Division clubs cope with what is shaping up as a near 50 game long season.

“Careful planning and preparation are going to be paramount particularly in terms of playing resources, which have to be aligned to meet the physical demands of cramming in so many added games.

“And then there’s the issue over training sessions which have to be geared to getting players into the best possible condition for two games more weeks than most.

“It’s encouraging to see WoSFL Fixtures Secretary Kennie Young trying to help member clubs by bringing the season’s traditional start date forward to Saturday 17th July, however, I’m certainly not alone in thinking an extra couple of weeks might not do the trick.”

McKinnon, who is now approaching his third year at the Newlandsfield helm, does not believe that having more operating floodlights will eradicate potential fixtures headache.

He added: "No doubt Kennie will have welcomed the work carried out by Auchinleck, Clydebank, Kilwinning, and Irvine Meadow which means there is now a clear 50/50 split between the “haves” and “have-nots” in respect of floodlights.

“Moving away from the variety of travelling problems associated with 6.30pm kick off times is a huge positive, as is being able to ease fixture congestion by arranging midweek games into the winter months.

“But a definitive downside is a loss of income through the gates because Kilwinning Rangers v Pollok or Irvine Meadow v Pollok on a Wednesday night will be nowhere near as big an attraction as it would be on a Saturday afternoon.

“And along similar lines is the concern about a fair routing of fixtures because trying to maximise the use of floodlights will result in those clubs with the lighting capability playing most of their home games in midweek”

On the transfer front ex-Pollok boss Tony McInally, who is currently in charge of Cumnock, has beaten off interest from top flight rivals Irvine Meadow to land former Ayr United defender Nathan Baird.