Glencairn will not be fielding an understrength side in Saturday's crunch Central First Division encounter against Lanark United.

Co-bosses Scott Smith and Willie Patterson could be forgiven for playing trialists after Port Glasgow's midweek win over St Roch's put paid to Rutherglen hopes of promotion.

But they won't, because long-time buddy Stevie Rankin's Ashfield, who top the standings, face missing promotion altogether if Lanark win at Moor Park.

Second-placed Port Glasgow are strongly fancied to leapfrog the Saracen Park men and claim the title in their final league game at home to relegated Dunipace.

It all adds up to a nail- biting afternoon for Rankin and his players. However, they will be buoyed knowing Glens have been something of a jinx for United, two previous head-to-heads this season ending 0-0.

"It's a no-win situation and my name is going to be scored off someone's Christmas card list," said Smith.

He only left hospital yesterday after developing an infection when the plate was finally removed after his horror leg break in a derby with Cambuslang last season.

He went on: "The one guarantee is that either Stevie or Port boss Tony McInally will be disappointed.

"My close friendship with Macca goes back a long way. He texted me with the Port result.

"He asked if Willie and me would play against Lanark given the Glens game is now meaningless.

"He's joking - I think - but he's not far off the mark, because under normal circumstances we would be trying out some prospective signings.

Of Glens' own promotion hopes, he said: "We tossed it away in two games - losing 4-1 to Benburb after being 1-0 up at halfway, and even worse was throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Dunipace.

"Winning one of those would have put our destiny in our own hands, but I suppose every manager has a similar story."

Lanark gaffer McInally reckons a combination of injuries, suspensions and work commitments saw his team imploding.

"I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses, but John Osborne, Craig Stark, Craig Miles, Darren Jaffrey, David Middleton and Tom Hanlon were all posted missing at various times and that was too much of a handicap," he said.

"It got to the stage, in some games myself and both coaches were subs and it's only now with players coming back that we are finally showing signs of getting our season back on track.

"The difference was there for all to see when we beat St Anthony's 7-1 last week. I'm hoping we can now finish the job against Glencairn.

"I expect it tough, as teams run by Scott and Willie never give an inch. However, our motivation comes from knowing a draw will not do .

"It makes for a nervous day, but I'd have bitten your hand off at the start of this season if you'd offered promotion in our final home game."

Port are at full strength at home to Dunipace and gaffer Brian Heron is pinning his hopes on strike trio Scott Nugent Andy Monaghan, and Jim Brown.

He said: "We won 1-0 at their place and it could be just as tight. But with strikers like ours I'm always confident of scoring a goal or two."