Tony Fraser has no intentions of taking the credit if Cumbernauld United’s eye-raising start to the season continues away to Pollok tonight.

The Guys Meadow outfit, along with Benburb it must be said, have emerged as the Premier Division’s shock troops after storming out of the blocks and putting early points on the board to confound the many prophets of doom that had written both clubs off as relegation certainties.

One time United playing stalwart Fraser, who only took up his club’s managerial reins during the extended close season, has overseen a highly praiseworthy if somewhat surprising three wins and a draw from his first half dozen games at the helm. Yet he adamantly insists it his playing charges and not him deserving of recognition.

The fledgling boss was speaking ahead of tonight’s trip through to Newlandsfield where he formerly and all too briefly played under John Richardson and Stevie Docherty.

"I would have to say the responsibility for our results up to now belongs solely to the players.” revealed Fraz. "A lot of people in the game were of the mind we would struggle as it is almost an entire new squad that has been brought together but to a man, the guys have bought into the playing ideas and shape that we have adopted right from the word go this season.

“Going through pre-season undefeated has undoubtedly helped to build confidence and they have refreshingly carried their good habits into the league campaign to great effect.

“Anyone taking stock of what has been achieved up to now would probably think it amazing but the most pleasing aspect for me as the team manager is knowing the guys are hungry for more of the same and nobody but nobody  is resting on their laurels.”

Fraser heads up a formidable ex-Pollok contingent determined to put one over on their former club tonight as included in the visiting party are one time Lok centre-back Danny Boyle and United’s top scorer Keiron Boubekri - a product of the Glasgow club’s Under 21 set up - who was on the verge of breaking into Pollok’s top team when Tony McInally was manager, only to be snapped up by Livingston.

Also preparing to make one of the quickest returns ever to former playing pastures is midfield anchorman Stephen McDevitt, released by gaffer Murdie McKinnon at his own request just 10 days ago and newly on the books of Cumbernauld following an impressive showing as a trialist in a recent 1-0 victory over Troon.

His gaffer admitted: "Stephen’s qualities and experience make him a perfect fit for the team we are building here and it was a no-brainer to get him signed up .

“He, Keiron and Danny will understandably be champing at the bit to do well but so  too are the rest of the guys because coming to  venues as grand as Newlandsfield and playing against big guns like Pollok  is what marks  the Premier Division out as special.

“We’re under no illusions of the test of our mettle that awaits though it may work in our favour to be facing Pollok tomorrow night as their midweek form has been below par and has saw points dropped.

“That said, all their lapses up to now have been away from home and I expect them to be an entirely different proposition at Newlandsfield.”

Another of the Cumbernauld players set to be the recipient of a rousing welcome from the home side’s support is Dale Fulton, son of Stevie and grandson of the late Pollok striking legend Norrie Fulton, whose acclaimed scoring exploits in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s include the goal that won the Southsiders a first ever Scottish Junior Cup triumph with a 1-0 victory over Arthurlie in 1981.

Word on the team front reckons the game is coming too soon for United’s injured trio Tom Neil, Jack McMahon and Jay Blair which opens the door for an appearance by flying winger Greg McPherson, signed from Bo’ness United and more notably the son of former Kilmarnock defender and current Morton manager Gus.

Elsewhere tonight, Rutherglen Glencairn will be out to follow up their impressive weekend share of the spoils with Kilwinning Rangers (a 4-4 draw) when making the short hop to take on surprise packets Benburb at New Tinto Park.

Glens boss Willie Harvey said: “Ours has been a particularly stiff run of fixtures recently and  I don’t expect things to get any easier against the Bens on their own patch. Our second half display in coming from 4-1 down to earn a draw against Kilwinning was outstanding and we’ll need to show similar battling spirit and earn the right to play down at Tinto.

Injured defensive pair Mick O’ Byrne and Tam Miller both missed out against the Buffs but only O’Byrne is in line to return tonight with the experienced Miller looking set for another couple of weeks on the sidelines.

In other games, Rob Roy will be out to notch up a fourth consecutive win at home to Bonnyton Thistle while pointless bottom markers Kilbirnie Ladeside will be hard-pushed to take anything from their clash with third in the table Clydebank.

Idle yet again are Darvel whose home game against Cumnock has been postponed in the wake of 7 of their players testing positive for Coronavirus and necessitating the Recreation Park side to submit medical certificates to that effect to the WoSFL Board.