TROON manager Jim Kirkwood is hoping to put the finishing touches to his Portland Park rebuild soon.

Kirkwood’s side finished a creditable seventh in the Super Premier Division last time out, and he has been tweaking his squad ever since in seeking to mount a stronger challenge this time round.

And his transfer dealings have given Junior football's leading clubs plenty to think about ahead of the new season.

The loss of Stevie Wilson and David Gillies to top-flight rivals Auchinleck Talbot was a huge blow, but Kirkie snapped up experienced midfielders Colin Spence (Auchinleck) and Chris McKnight (Cumnock), to create openings for newly-acquired striking trio Sean McKenna (Beith), Dale Shirkie (Ayr) and Jordan Muir, who has returned to these shores from a spell playing in the USA.

The Portland Park gaffer said: “Dale is a terrific prospect who was on the books at Motherwell and he also played close to a dozen first-team games for Ayr, while Jordan is physically powerful as well as lightning quick.

“Sean McKenna, at 28, brings a much-needed injection of experience and Junior nous which we hope will rub off on the younger guys around him, particularly given that his attitude towards games and training up to now has been excellent.

“We also have another couple of promising guys in Craig Harvey and the former Annbank frontman Adam Forsyth, who scored nine goals in just nine outings towards the end of last season, so we are shaping up nicely in an attacking sense.”

The strong defensive platform built around Gavin Collins and Dean Keenan has Kirkwood feeling confident of keeping things tight at the back, although he would have been even more upbeat if an approach for Talbot skipper James Latta had come to fruition.

He admitted: "It’s no secret we were keen on James, whose versatility would have enhanced our squad, however he chose to return to Talbot, so our interest ended there and then.

“We now have 21 players, but that’s not to say we won’t be making further moves if the right player becomes available.”

Troon have reportedly been interested in Cumnock goalkeeper Ally Semple, however Kirkwood refused to be drawn on whether a deal was still in the offing.

He said: “It would be wrong to discuss Semple’s situation as he is a contracted Cumnock player and they have not intimated any intention to sell him on.”

Nock gaffer John McKeown refused to be drawn on any switch for Semple, saying: "We have no transfer business to talk of other than recruiting winger Josh Watt from Stenhousemuir and Aiden Malone from Broomhill SC on top of offloading Ryan Kennedy to Lesmahagow.

“Josh looked sharp and hungry, while Aidan netted a goal in our 5-0 defeat of St Anthony's at the weekend and both players looked the part.

“They will both feature when we take part in the Maybole Tournament this weekend … and I fully expect Ally Semple to be between the sticks.”

200 words on last night’s games

LAST NIGHT

Friendlies: Vale of Leven X St Anthony's X, Wishaw X Blackburn X, Carluke X Hearts X, Annbank X Auchinleck X, Neilston X Ardeer X, Renfrew X Irvine Meadow X, Alloa X Rossvale X, Vale of Clyde X Shotts X, Kilsyth X St Roch's X, Blantyre Vics X Shettleston X, Maryhill X Drumchapel X, Dalziel HSFP X Bellshill X, Ashfield X Larkhall X, West Calder Utd X Royal Albert X, Port Glasgow X Whitletts X, Broomhouse SC X Newmains X, Johnstone Burgh X Arthurlie X, Irvine Vics X Bonnyton U21s X, Largs X Saltcoats X, EK Thistle X Clyde X.