Arthurlie manager Billy Ogilvie admits his side will be the underdogs as they face Irvine Meadow tonight in the first leg of their play-off 
showdown, but insists his men will be giving it their all to ensure they retain their top flight status.

Lie ended the season bottom of the Super Premier Division, but restructuring of the SJFA set-up has handed them a lifeline and the 
opportunity to secure a place in the new Premierships via a play-off with the fifth-placed team from the second tier.

Following the conclusion of the First Division promotion race on Sunday, Lie received confirmation they would face Meadow in the tie.

Brian McGinty’s side won seven out of their final eight league games, as well as holding title takers Petershill to a draw and defeating second-placed Cambuslang Rangers over the course of the piece.  

And Lie gaffer Ogilvie knows that due to this formidable form Irvine will be a tough side to beat when they head to Meadow Park tonight and play host for the return leg at Dunterlie Park on Friday night. 

He said: “Meadow are a big club and you feel they have got to be favourities. 

“They are in a rich vein of form. They have won the last five league games, so they will be very confident, but it will be tough match. I would say we are the underdogs.

“It didn’t really matter who we got because each and every one of the teams are good sides.”

The presence of several former Arthurlie players in the Meadow line-up, such as the vastly experienced and five-time Scottish Junior Cup winner Colin Spence, who completed a move from Lie in March is also likely to add an extra dimension to this particular contest.

But Ogilvie insists that as long as his men rise to the challenge and compete, then he will be satisfied.

He added: “It adds to the spice of the game that the likes of former Arthurlie players Rhys Devlin, Eddie McTernan and Colin Spence will be playing. They are three very good players and it is a pity they are still not playing for us.

“We trained last night and we trained well, so we are looking forward to tonight and Friday. 

“It will be good to get it out the way and know our fate one way or the other.

“My message to them is to go and win, but apart from that you compete.

“At the end of the day if we have competed as well as the opposition then we will take whatever result happens because it’s important we give our utmost and come off with everything spent and nothing left behind in the dressing room.

“I just hope they will give their all and do us proud.”

Looking beyond the play-offs Lie are yet to re-sign anyone and Ogilvie told the Gazette the club will wait until after the tie is dealt with.

He said: “We have been in talks [with players] and once the club’s future is decided we will deal with that.”

Lie face Meadow tonight at Meadow Park, kick-off 7.30pm. 

The return leg at Dunterlie Park on Friday kicks off at the same time.