ARTHURLIE'S search for a new boss is stir-ring up plenty of interest around the West Region.

As the search for a successor to Gary Faulds enters its second week, a number of managers find themselves linked with the vacant post.

Getting more than a passing mention is Sammy Johnston of Neilston, whose club officials are said to have quizzed their gaffer after rumours hinting his taking over the Dunterlie hotseat was already a done deal.

It isn't but until such time as an appointment is made then others may also be asked to come clean over their intentions.

Kilbirnie fans will be sweating over their management team of Tommy Bryce and Digger Fulton throwing their hats in the ring given the latter's legendary status after skippering Lie's 1998 Scottish Cup-winning side. It's no secret they have backers among Arthurlie decision makers.

Likewise, it remains to be seen whether the prospect of a job offer from one of his former teams might tempt Sandy Maclean to consider walking away from Largs after just six months.

Sandy, who had an even shorter-lived stint as co-boss at Renfrew, may believe steering the Seasiders to third top in the Super First Division is as good as it is going to get for him unless he opts to step up the managerial ladder.

Further interest could come from one-time Lie strike duo Jimmy Creaney and Stevie Quigg, even though they have only been at Ardeer for two months.

Clydebank's Budgie McGhie and Jimmy McQuade - both ex-Arthurlie players - have also been mentioned, but the former's equally strong Bankies ties seem set to rule him out.

There is no saying the new man will have Barr-head links, so Stevie Rankin (Ashfield), Brian Heron (Port Glasgow), John Richardson and John Mitchell (Rob Roy), and John Brogan (East Kilbride), might all come under the microscope, even though Arthurlie have invited applications rather than identifying a short list of those best suited and going after them.

Maybe they have already done so, however, by installing Mark Cameron and Roland Fabiani as caretaker bosses because one can imagine their appointment being rubber-stamped should they inspire Arthurlie to back-to-back league victories when facing Beith this week.

If they are to be ousted then there is no shortage of candidates among those out of work whose swelling ranks are headed up by ex-Kilsyth boss Dunky Sinclair, and Brian Wright, who turned his back on troubled Bellshill.

FORMER Partick Thistle supremo Gerry Collins cannot be ruled out as he is thought to be itching to get back into management after quitting Glen-afton last season.

Ronnie Lowrie, an ex-Pollok boss currently scouting for Rangers, has been touted as a possible candidate, but one cannot see him taking up the reins and laying himself wide open to Monday morning post-match grillings from the more youthful Lie fans at Barr-head High where he works as a PE teacher.

Ian Ashcroft today ruled out the possibility of him being Stevie Convery's No.2 at Barrhead. He said: "There was talk of Stevie and myself going in to help out but purely on the same interim basis as Mark Cameron and Fabi. I don't have any inclination to run a Junior team."

Whatever, the pressure is building on Arthurlie officials to get the right man for the job.

The postponed friendly between Clydebank and Cambuslang is due to go ahead tonight at New Petershill Park (8pm).