LANARK UNITED boss John Brogan remains the all-time top scorer at St Johnstone – more than 30 years after playing his last game at the old Muirton Park.

So, when he says he’s in the market for a couple of strikers, they better be good!

Seriously though, the 61-year-old Lanark boss – who taught Rangers legend Ally McCoist a thing or two while at Saints – is looking to get the Moor Park club back up at the first time of asking after they dropped into the Central District Second Division.

The Yowes got off to the worst possible start last term, losing their first six league matches, which left incoming boss Brogan with a mountain to climb.

But he insists it wasn’t just the bad start that left the one-time Super League club staring relegation in the face.

He told SportTimes: “The bad start was obviously part of why we went down last season, but it wasn’t the only reason.

“We had some good results, but were far too inconsistent overall, and certainly didn’t score enough goals to get us out of trouble, which is something I hope to rectify very soon.

“There were a number of things that contributed to our downfall and I’m working hard to try and put them right.”

And Brogan knows exactly who he wants to rectify them for – apart from himself and the supporters.

He explained: “There are some great people at Moor Park. Lanark United have a fantastic set-up and the guys there work very hard for the club.

“It would be great to repay them by bringing some success to the club – that’s certainly what we’re aiming for.

“You always need good people working hard behind the scenes. It’s not all about the players and coaching staff – it really is one massive team game.”

Brogan was six years at Yoker Athletic and led the Holm Park side into the Super League set-up.

He said: “I probably stayed at Yoker for the maximum time. I had taken them as far as I could and knew when it was time to leave.

“We all need a wee change in life sometimes, regardless of what profession we’re in. That was why I left for a new challenge – and I’m enjoying that challenge at Lanark.

“When I was at Yoker, an awful lot of the players were local lads, and that’s something the supporters can identify with.

“That is now the aim down at Lanark, but it’s something that won’t happen overnight. If I can get a lot of local boys coming through then the people of the town will come out and support us.

“Lanark is a wee bit off the beaten track, so it can sometimes be difficult, from a geographical perspective, to attract players. I’ve already introduced a few players from our Under-19s and that’s something I want to continue.

“Everyone is aiming for the same thing, success, but if you can achieve it with local boys, then that makes it all the sweeter.”

Brogan has over 300 career goals in the senior ranks to his credit, and as well as St Johnstone, played for clubs such as Hamilton Accies and Hibernian – although he started his playing career in the Juniors with Blantyre Celtic.

He has most of the players he wants for the new season, but admitted he is on the hunt for a couple of strikers.

He said: “I know exactly the type of players I want and even though I enjoyed a good career up front, I try not to judge the strikers I manage too much.

“I’m always looking to make the players better that I work with. That’s part of the enjoyment for me.

“I’ve still got the enthusiasm for the job – that has never left me.

“We started back pre-season training a week past on Monday and while it’s still very early days, things are coming together nicely.

“We are all looking forward to the new season immensely and will be ready to go once the first whistle is blown."

Meanwhile, Newmains United have announced their schedule of pre-season fixtures.

They are Sat, July 18: Harestanes United (a); Wed, July 22: Broomhouse (a); Sat, July 25: Newmains (h); Wed, July 29: Thorniewood (h); and Sat, Aug 1: Craigmark (a).

Craigmark are also scheduled to play Scottish Junior Cup holders Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday, July 18.