TWO years away from Junior football’s spotlight is about to come to an end for Petershill supporters.

The famous old Springburn club will once again be playing their football in the Premiership this season – and vowing to do everything he can to stay in the big time is midfield cornerstone Jordan Murch.

But the fact the one-time Clyde signing, who is closing in on a 29th birthday, is seen as one of the Peasy’s elder statesmen – only Chris Wilson and goalkeeper John Gibson are older – has Murchy shying clear of making any bold predictions over how he and his team-mates will fare back in the top flight.

He said: "If you take the three of us out of the equation then everyone else is under 25 so this must rank as the youngest Petershill side I’ve ever played in.

“I do not want to sound critical because there’s no shortage of talent with Alex Cassells looking as if he has the makings of a really big player for us this season while Scott Cameron who has just stepped up from Under-21 football is someone with bags of ability.

“But experience tells me it can go both ways with younger players. They can either be the types who get stuck in regardless of reputations, or they get caught like rabbits in the headlights when you run out at some Ayrshire venues and supporters are right up against the playing pitch and baying for your blood.

“Heads can often go down in these instances, so what’s needed is to have a fair sprinkling of guys in the mix who have been over the course before and that’s why we are fortunate to have a management team in Willie Patterson and Paul Kelly who know what moves are needed in terms of our playing squad.

“They know the game inside out and have already made plans to inject a bit more Juniors nous with Ryan Deas and Graham Girvan both turning out as trialists in our pre-season games.

“I feel if they both come on board to act as a boost the 14 players from last season’s title-winning squad then there’s no reason why Petershill cannot hold our own against the best.”

Murch believes another shot in the arm to Petershill’s hopes of emerging as a contender for the game’s silverware has come from ex-Dundee and Clyde goalkeeper Gibson coming off the transfer list and signing a new two-year deal.

He added: “Andy Leishamn at Auchinleck is widely recognised as the best goalkeeper in the game but to my mind Gibby is up there with him.

“He’s the ultimate professional who never misses a training session and his importance to the team was best summed up last season when we won a lot of games on the way to our title win but not without Gibby making big saves at key moments.

“He probably earned us 10-12 points over our league campaign so knowing he’s going to be between the posts again provides a massive lift for everyone in our dressing room.”

Gibson was reckoned to have been placed on the Peasy transfer list after becoming unsettled by an audacious approach from West Region champions Beith – one of Murch’s former Junior clubs.

He admitted: “Seven of our squad are just back from a close-season break in Ibiza and Gibby did take me aside and ask my opinion on Beith when we were out there.

“They are West Region champions on merit so I could hardly deny they were anything other than one of the top clubs doing the rounds but I also spoke highly of Petershill who have been very good to me over the years.

“Gibby thanked me for the advice but never gave any hint over his intentions. But on our return he had a sudden change of heart and asked Willie if he could come off the transfer list.

“Him penning a new contract is an added bonus and hopefully he will remain at Petershill for years to come.”

A 4-4 Keppoch Park draw against Glasgow Perthshire on Monday night was Petershill’s final pre-season game before kicking off the competitive action with a Sectional League Cup clash at home to near neighbours St Roch's on Saturday.

Murch said: "We are certainly not getting it easy for starters with the game against St Roch's followed by the Section favourites Rob Roy away on Monday night.

“They ran out 4-1 winners when the teams met last week in our pre-season competition however we had as many as six players posted missing and I’d like to think we can put up a far better showing with everyone available for selection.”