I want my boys to be the shock troops at Darvel

Renfrew boss aims to silence critics

Colin Clark is fired up to prove the doubters wrong after his side have been already written off ahead of today’s clash against big-spending Darvel.

The Ayrshire cracks have been the talk of Junior football this summer after splashing the cash to upgrade their Recreation Park ground and entice a host of senior players, including former Rangers defender Ross Perry and ex-Alloa full back Darryl Meggatt.

Darvel have been tipped to be runaway league winners this season, however Clark is adamant his side have their own ambitions of promotion back to the top flight.

He told Express Sport: “We probably couldn’t have asked for a harder start to the season.

“Darvel’s moves in the transfer market have been well-documented and of course they will be favourites for the title – it goes without saying.

“When you are spending that sort of money then you are always going to be tipped to go up. They are operating in another world financially to clubs like us.

“They have done an absolute mountain of work behind the scenes too so we know it could be a difficult afternoon.

“But we aren’t just here to make up the numbers. It isn’t like we are just going to roll over and let them win the game.

“Our boys have proven over the last couple of years that they are capable of mixing it with whoever they are facing.

“We go to Darvel wanting to win the game. We go there with ambitions of making it as hard for them as possible.

“I doubt very few will be tipping us to come back with three points... but that is up to them.

“All of Darvel’s friendlies have come against sides like Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton and Hurlford so they have been really testing themselves.

“I suppose they think this will be an easy game in comparison. It is up to us to show them that is far from the case.”

But to make matters worse, Clark will be without a host of first-team regulars for the trip to Recreation Park.

Bob Campbell limped out of Wednesday night’s win over Port Glasgow Juniors with a calf injury, while David McKenna is nursing a similar problem.

Ross Gilmour’s ankle problems saw

I doubt very few will be tipping us to come back with three points Colin Clark

him miss Wednesday’s clash, and Reece McGillion remains a doubt as he tries to return from a hamstring issue.

Clark added: “We will be lucky if we have a squad of 15 players at this rate.

“It will be touch and go for a number of the boys ahead of kick-off but we will give everyone the chance to make the game.

“We have added striker Jordan Davidson from our own 21s group over the last couple of weeks so he will be in the squad for his first league game.

“He has impressed us so far and shown a great attitude.

“But we are still working hard to bring in a goalkeeper and should hopefully have some more news on that in the next few days.”