POLLOK'S new manager Jim Sinnet is a man on a mission.

Club chiefs confirmed his appointment to the Newlandsfield helm over the weekend, and the 48-year-old immediately declared his intention to bring back Scottish Junior Cup glory days to the south side giants.

And his can hardly be considered an idle boast given his track record in steering previous club Linlithgow Rose to a hat-trick of final appearances (two of them winning ones) in the past seven years.

Lok clinched the Super Premier title with a 5-4 win over Glenafton on Friday, and the man nicknamed Sinbad said: "To my mind the Scottish Cup is the biggest prize at Junior level and a club of Pollok's stature should be making more than just one final appearance in the past 10 years.

"Linlithgow's barren spell was even longer yet I managed to help turn things around, so hopefully similar good times can come my way at Pollok.

"Rab Sneddon and Harry Erwin have achieved remarkable success here without actually getting their hands on the big one, and I would love to build upon their playing base."

This is not the first time Sinnet has taken up the reins from the outgoing Lok duo because back in 1996 he took over from them at Blantyre Vics prior to moving on to Benburb, with whom he lifted the old Central Premier Division.

The new gaffer has yet to confirm his new Pollok backroom team, but he fully intends retaining the services of long-serving Lok coach Mark McWilliams.

And home supporters will be further delighted to hear he has no plans to take over Rab Sneddon's dugout role until next season.

He said: "I take up my new role as of now but Rab and Harry will see the season out by continuing to look after team matters.

"It's only right after all their hard work and nothing would please me more than if they go on to lift the two remaining trophies open to them.

"My brief will be a watching one initially in running the rule over players, but behind the scenes I will be meeting up with each and every member of the squad.

"It is imperative that Pollok as a club enters into re-signing talks and gets an inkling of who is staying and going.

"Rumours have it that Irvine Meadow are poised to sign up three or four of our players, but I would be surprised if anyone decided to jump ship.

"Meadow might have the financial clout but Pollok have the trophies in the cabinet."

Home fans will get their first sighting of the new boss at Newlandsfield tonight when he takes in the Whyte & Mackay Cup quarter-final clash against Troon.

Pollok are outright favourites to secure a last four showdown with Girvan, but they must overcome a goalkeeping crisis caused by a groin injury ruling out Kris Robertson, the only keeper on the Lok books, with Sneddon frantically looking for a replacement.

Elsewhere tonight, Bellsdale Park hosts a derby between Beith and Kilbirnie Ladeside with a Whyte & Mackay Cup Final place at stake.

A vital league match goes ahead at Lochburn Park, where Maryhill will be relegated unless they can take all three points from visitors Clydebank. TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(7.30pm kick-offs) Whyte & Mackay Cup semi-final - Beith v Kilbirnie Ladeside; quarter final - Pollok v Troon.

Stagecoach Super First Division - Maryhill v Clydebank; East Kilbride Thistle v Lesmahagow.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League - Girvan v Lugar Boswell.

Central League Cup quarter finals - Shotts Bon Accord v Rob Roy; Port Glasgow v Arthurlie; Lanark Utd v Renfrew; Larkhall Thistle v Benburb.

Third Round. Ayrshire Cup semi-final - Kilwinning Rangers v Irvine Meadow.