Nock boss John McKeown is desperate for his side to get off to a flyer as he eyes an immediate return to the top flight.

Speaking to the Chronicle this week, McKeown admits that it will be no easy task but his side will try and emulate what Pollok did last term.

The Glasgow outfit were dumped from the top flight two years ago but romped to league success last season to seal an immediate return to the Premier Division. McKeown said: “Pollok are the benchmark. They got the points on the board early and they never really looked back from there as they ran away with it. That’s what we want to do.” But the Townhead boss knows that he will have plenty of opposition all eagerly vying for the championship.

He added: “I don’t know if I’d say we are favourites. There are other teams who would have something to say about that. Teams like Ardrossan have spent a bit of money and Clydebank have had a great start so it’s hard to say who is the favourite. It’ll be a competitive league.” Nock get started with a trip to Greenock on Saturday. McKeown’s side warmed themselves up for the league opener with a hard fought derby win over Glenafton at Townhead on Saturday as a Ross McNeil strike sealed the win.

McKeown said: “It’s done our confidence the world of good. Defensively we look very good at the minute so that’s something that we tried to improve on over the summer. Ross McNeil also played well at the weekend and scored a terrific goal so we are happy with the way we are playing at the minute.

“It would be good to start with a win and get the fans on board early. There was a bit of doom and gloom about the place with the way things were going last season but I think the fans can see that we are trying to play the right way. We need to be positive right from the start.” McKeown is also open the possibility of adding to his squad. He said: “We might bring one more in if there’s a player out there we feel can add to the squad.” Cumnock have a couple of injury doubts, with Paul Quinn picking up an ankle knock and Nicky Moore injuring his knee.

Nock travel to Ravenscraig Stadium to take on Greenock Juniors with a 2pm kick off.