CLYDEBANK manager Kieran McAnespie has set his team a target of a top-half finish in the Super Premier Division this season.

The former St Johnstone defender took over at Holm Park in January following the departure of Bankies legend Budgie McGhie.

Clydebank finished second in the Super First Division last season which meant the club gained promotion.

McAnespie now says he wants his side to finish within the top six rather than just cement their place in the league.

He said: “I want to finish in the top half of the table this season, I don’t want us to go up with the aim of just consolidating our place in the league.

“I want us to do well. I was born a winner and I want my team to be winners, however, I’ve also got to be realistic.

“I know there a lot of strong teams in the Premier Division that will make things tough for us but that doesn’t mean we can’t aim high.

“It goes without saying that we want to avoid relegation but I don’t want us to make that our sole aim.”

Clydebank return to the Super Premier Division for the first time since 2015 and McAnespie admits the club are happy to be back in the top-flight.

He said: “This club is absolute buzzing at the moment, getting promoted means so much to everyone connected to this club.

“Everyone has a smile on their face and to know I’ve played a part in making that happen gives me an enormous sense of well-being.”

McAnespie has re-signed nine players from last season’s squad, however, he has chosen not to renew the contracts of eight players.

Nicky Little has departed the club and will play for Pollock next season while Mark Burbidge has left Holm Park to go on trial with Stenhousemuir.

The Bankies boss says he’s looking to bring in eight new players but admit he hasn’t been able to complete any deals yet.

He said: “I’ve got nine players re-signed and I’m looking to add another eight which would take us to a squad of 17.

“The players I want to keep I’ve managed to keep and the ones I’ve let go just weren’t in my plans for this season.

“I have a couple of verbal agreements with players but nothing has been confirmed yet so I won’t be mentioning any names.

“I’m a bit cynical that way, my many years in football has taught me that a deal isn’t done until there’s a signature on paper.”

McAnespie has set up some tough pre-season fixtures that he says will give his side a good test ahead of the new campaign.

Clydebank’s first friendly of the summer will see them travel to The Rock on July 15th to play Championship side Dumbarton.

They will then play St Mirren’s under 20s on Wednesday the 19th at Glasgow Green before facing Camelon Juniors away from home on July 22nd.

The Bankies round off their pre-season with two more away fixtures, the first will see them square off against Hamilton Accies on July 26th.

Whereas their final friendly will see them come up against last year's Junior Cup quarter-finalist Gartcairn on Friday the 28th.

McAnespie said: “All of the friendlies will be tough, we are playing two very good junior sides as well as two senior teams.

“We are also playing St Mirren’s under 20s and that will be a hard game as well because they’re full time and we’re not.

“All five games will be tough and that’s the way I want it, obviously the main aim is to build up the players fitness but I also want to test the player.”

Clydebank are currently without a chairman after Gordon Robertson left the club at the end of last month to reunite with Budgie McGhie at Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McAnespie admits he hasn’t noticed any change since Robertson’s departure and says he doesn’t expect to either.

He said: “Gordon leaving hasn’t affected the club as far as I can tell and I thinks that because the club is run so well.

“Gordon was great with me and he is really well like here because of all the work he’s done for the club over the years.

“But as I said, I haven’t noticed any changes and I don’t see any reason why anything should change.”