Cambuslang Rangers manager Paul McColl has laid down a target for his newly-promoted side: Avoid getting caught up in a relegation battle.

The Wee Gers will be playing in the Super First Division this season after being crowned Central First Division champions last term.

McColl’s side secured the Central First Division title by beating Neilston 4-2 on the final day of last season.

Now the Cambuslang club are preparing for life in Super First Division and McColl is hoping his side will be nowhere near the bottom of the table come April.

He said: “No matter who you are or what league you're going up into the first thing you want to do is secure your safety.

“So staying in the league is our main priority but I’m personally aiming a bit higher than just avoiding relegation.

“I’m hoping we will be able to compete with the teams near the top of the table rather than battle it out with the teams at the bottom.

“However, I know there's a real possibility we could spend the whole season at the foot of the table, but I’m hoping that won’t be the case.”

McColl has re-signed 13 members of his title-winning team and he’s also brought in seven new players.

The two biggest names to arrive at Somervell Park this summer are defender Chris Smith and striker Callum McRobbie

Smith joins Cambuslang after being released by Clyde whereas McRobbie comes in from Cumnock having previously played for Albion Rovers.

McColl said: “I’m delighted Chris and Callum have signed as I know we weren’t the only team in for them.

“Chris is a top-quality player, he was Clyde’s Player of the Year in 2016 so I’m sure he’ll do great for us.

“Callum is another really good signing, like Chris he has experience at senior level, but he’s also played in the top junior league with Cumnock.”

McColl has also signed five other players; he’s brought in Sean McCall from Super Premier Division runners-up Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

As well as Jordan Love from Gartcairn, Cammy Lawson from Lanark United, Paul Hewitt from Johnstone Burgh and Adam Boyle from East Kilbride Thistle.

Four of McColl’s new signings are making the step up from lower leagues, but he insists they are all good enough to play in the Super First Division.

He said: “People may look at the players I’ve brought in and question why most of them have come from clubs in lower leagues.

“The answer to that question is quite simple, I’ve signed them because they‘re good players that I think can do a job for us.

“Just because they aren’t playing in the top league doesn’t make them bad players, there's a lot of talented players in the first and second divisions.

“I’m very happy with the players I’ve brought in so far and there's no doubt in my mind that they will be able to cut it.”

McColl hasn’t only brought in new players he’s also brought in a new assistant manager in the form of Billy Campbell.

Campbell was the manager of East Kilbride Thistle last season and got the club promoted from the Central Second Division.

The former Jags boss will be joint assistant manager alongside Jimmy Kerr and McColl says he’s delighted to add Campbell to his management team.

He said: “I’m really happy that Billy has decided to join the club, he’s a really good friend of mine so it’s great to be able to work with him.

“He’s a brilliant manager in his own right and he showed that last season by getting East Kilbride promoted.

“Bringing Billy in is probably the best signing I’ve made all summer, he’s just so good at working with players.”