CUMNOCK manager John McKeown will leave no stone unturned as he sets about the task of restoring the fallen giant’s fortunes.

Former player McKeown took it badly when his appointment in late October could not prevent the ailing Townhead Park side’s form slump and their relegation to the Super First Division.

Vowing to restore the Nock’s top-flight status at the first time of asking has led to Ruggy compiling a substantial list of signing targets which has drawn upon his and No.2 Kieron McGuinness’s knowledge of both the Senior and Junior ranks.

And nobody is safe from the axe as he willingly allows players to depart in order to clear the decks and help his rebuild.

Among the high-profile names looking likely to leave are highly-regarded hitman Robert Brown, who is reportedly on the verge of joining arch- rivals Auchinleck Talbot, skipper Chris McKnight has been placed on the open-to-transfer list.

The team boss said: "Difficult decisions were made and more of the same are in the offing if we are to achieve our aim of freshening up our playing squad with an influx of experienced heads and younger legs in order to regain our top-flight status.

“McKnight heading away might raise eyebrows, but I think Chris is of the mind he needs to make a fresh start elsewhere and there has been understandable interest shown by a couple of Super Premier outfits, so he will be fixed up sooner rather than later.

“Kieron and I have not exactly sat around twiddling our thumbs either because to date we have brought in six new faces and more could follow as we are awaiting answers from as many again.

“Our playing squad numbers 15 already, but I will not hesitate to let one or two others go if we can land the quality guys we have targeted.”

McKeown’s burning desire to succeed caused him to have no qualms about raiding his former club Wishaw for striker Nikky Moore, as well as home town team Rutherglen Glencairn for midfield dynamo Del Esplin and feared marksman Ross McNeil, the scorer of 101 goals for the Glens Under-21 side in 2013.

He added: "Willie Harvey might not be sending me a Christmas card, but he’ll appreciate I was left with little option other than to pounce for Ross and Del after they admitted to be swithering over signing approaches from Blantyre Vics, Kilsyth Rangers and Shotts Bon Accord.

“The two guys are outstanding prospects and I would not be doing my job if I simply stood aside to let them go elsewhere just because Willie and I are friends.”

Full-back Jonathan Lindsay has arrived from Arbroath along with the Bo’ness United duo of ex-Shotts midfielder Andy Scott and commanding stopper Paul Murphy.

John revealed: “Our supporters will love big Paul, whose winning mentality I got to see at close quarters when we paired up together in central defence for Stenhousemuir.

“He is an old-fashioned, hard-hitting type, whose big-game experience along with that of Andy, will hopefully rub off on the younger lads around them.

“And I can also see Lindsay becoming a fans' favourite in due course as he’s a very athletic and forward-going full-back with a liking for a heavy challenge or two.”

The ambitious gaffer makes no secret of wanting to emulate the Super First Division title-winning feat of Pollok boss and fellow Ru’Glonian Tony McInally in the season just ended.

He said: "Pollok looked like champions from day one and that was all down to Tony’s team-building skills during last close season.

“And he continued to tinker with his side to improve things and the result was a runaway title success, but more importantly, he is leading a far better and stronger Pollok side back into the Super Premier.

“That simply has to be the aim of everyone connected with Cumnock, but you can bet we will face strong competition and not just from the two other relegated sides, Shotts and Clydebank.

“Kilsyth Rangers have made good acquisitions on the transfer scene, while the nearly men from last time – Cumbernauld United and Glencairn – will be fired up to do better.

“I also have a suspicion that Largs Thistle will be a title challenger after finishing last season strongly, while who can possibly discount Blantyre Vics, who are on a bit of a roll following back-to-back title wins?

“It would take a braver man than me to bet against Davie Greig and his players making it three on the trot.”

Glencairn have likewise moved to beef up their squad with the captures of seven players – Chris Zok (Cumbernauld), Adam Nisanci (Neilston), Adam Shaw (Tower Hearts), Paddy Cullen (Cambuslang), Paul Doyle (Kilsyth) and Mark Batchelor (Dunipace).