BEITH’S stock has never been higher in Junior football circles but scaling the heights once more is going to prove a lot more difficult.

So says vastly experienced campaigner Kevin McDonald ahead of him and his Mighty team-mates reporting back for the hard slog of pre-season training later today, just six weeks on from gleefully parading the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup around Rugby Park following their penalty-kicks shoot-out defeat of Pollok.

Further silverware success duly delivered on the Ayrshire Cup front has only acted to raise the Mighty’s profile even higher and has made their scalp much sought after by rival clubs according to Kev.

“It’s only natural that we will be looked upon as one of the teams to beat in the coming weeks and months and I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say opponents will have added motivation from wanting to put us to the sword,” insisted the defensive cornerstone.

“We have to be prepared physically and mentally for some testing times so it’s imperative that we hit the ground running and it helps in this respect to know that most of last season’s playing squad have remained at Bellsdale Park.

“Yes, it’s a blow for Andy Reid and Zander Ryan to announce they were hanging up the boots as they were both top quality players as well as great guys to have around the dressing room, however it’s a massive boost that Big Shay (goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay) has gone back on his own retirement decision and will be between the sticks for at least another season.

“I played with him when he was a top prospect at Dumbarton yet he’s probably a better keeper nowadays and there’s no doubt his talking and command of the box ... not forgetting his ability to make key penalty-kick saves … was a major factor behind the successes enjoyed by Beith last season.”

Team boss Johnny Millar’s transfer dealings have resulted in a quartet of new signings in full-back Conner McGlinchey (Arthurlie), striker Archie “Ross” McPherson (Irvine Meadow), veteran defender Mark McLaughlin (Clyde) and up-and-coming shotstopper Calum McBain (Tower Hearts), however Kev is bracing himself for further competition for the jerseys.

Last night he added: “Johnny knows the game and he will make strengthening moves wherever he sees fit particularly when you take into account the fact our participation in the preliminary rounds of the Scottish Cup proper could result in a heavily-congested, early-season fixture list.

“I would imagine a number of prospective signings will be in training with us tomorrow and that helps with numbers as several of the guys are still on holiday.

“Ideally we want everyone back and fully tuned up for the competitive appetizer of an away game against our great rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside in our opening Ardagh Glass cup tie.”

Looking forward to putting the Beith players through their paces is ex-Arthurlie and Bellshill Athletic boss Robert Downs who has joined the Bellsdale backroom team in a coaching capacity.

He revealed: “I’ve kept in touch with Johnny down through the years and was delighted when he asked me to come on board.

“It was an easy decision to make given I had a couple of enjoyable seasons as a player at Beith when I didn’t exactly cover myself in glory in a playing sense, however I was here long enough to know this is a great club with smashing people working behind the scenes and a terrific supporter base.

“Hopefully I can make a contribution to what is already a very successful set-up.”

Latest developments on the comings and goings front has transfer listed Shettleston stopper Ryan Frances, formerly of Clyde, electing to put pen-to-paper for mentor Ian Currie at the player’s first Junior club Vale of Clyde.

And on the lookout for a new club is Town goalkeeper Ryan Mailey who was understudy to Bryn Halliwell last season but feels his future lies elsewhere after gaffer Hugh Kelly moved to snap up highly-rated Shotts Bon Accord No.1 Gary Whyte.

Twenty-three-year-old Mailey, who had a spell with Lanark United, is thought to be interesting Lowland League outfit BSC Glasgow and can be contacted on 07914531356.