Rutherglen Glencairn v Arthurlie top-table clash 'won't set down a marker'

Rutherglen Glencairn boss Joe Pryce denies Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Arthurlie can set down a marker for their West of Scotland First Division title credentials.

Last season’s top-flight drop-outs Arthurlie visit the Hamish B. Allan Stadium with a 100 per cent record from three games, while Glencairn are unbeaten from their opening encounters.

Pryce says it’s too early to put down a marker even with a home win on Saturday, but does relish the prospect of a second versus first battle. He said: “It’s still really early, we’ve only played three games and there are another 27 to go.

“The league doesn’t really settle down until maybe nine or 10 games in, that’s when you kind of see the way the league is going to go, so it’s still very early.

“At this stage of the season availability of players is key, because some lads are still on holiday, there are work commitments, weddings and things like that to deal with.

“But I’m really looking forward to the game, and I’m sure it will be a good one.

“We’re up against a top Arthurlie side who have recruited well, invested well in their team, and they’re obviously looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League, so it’s going to be a really tough game for us.

“They’ve got some real firepower up front and we know we’re going to need to be really on our game at the back to deal with that.

“But we’re at home, we’ll certainly go and give it our best shot.”

Glencairn are certainly on good form, having beat Kilbirnie Ladeside 4-2 in midweek and thumped Kilwinning Rangers 4-0 on Saturday after an opening day 2-2 draw at Cumbernauld United, and Pryce is pleased with what he has seen so far this season.

He said: “We asked the lads to hit the ground running this season and