ARTHURLIE manager Billy Ogilvie insists his players will have no fear heading into their January clash with Pollok as he prepares for his first southside derby.

The Barrhead men currently sit tenth in the table, ahead of bottom pair Clydebank and Cumnock, while hosts Pollok are in sixth place and, due to postponed fixtures, will not have played since their Scottish Junior Cup replay at the start of December.

With no game for Ogilvie’s men over the festive period and their match against Clydebank called off on December 16, the encounter with Lok will also be Arthurlie’s first tie since a 4-1 loss to Kilwinning Rangers on December 2.

Training has also been difficult recently due to the winter weather but, despite such challenges, Ogilvie remains upbeat about his squad and their chances of victory in front of a bumper crowd at Newlandsfield Park on January 6.

He said: “The game against Pollok is a big one. We are really looking forward to it. It is the first fixture of the New Year and it will have all the usual healthy rivalry.

“Both teams will be excited to play each other. It will be a big crowd and Arthurlie have a very big support. It all bodes well for a good, clean, spirited game and we hope to come out on top.

“Pollok are strong favourites due to the size of their squad and they are doing really well in the league, but we are not in fear.

“We will give a good account of ourselves and relish the challenge.”

Ogilvie, who took charge of Arthurlie in October, also dismissed any suggestion there is added pressure due to the match being his first against Lie’s southside rivals.

He said: “At the end of the day, it is still three points.

“These are games players want to play in.”