THE spectre of relegation has been firmly laid to rest in Clydebank – and all eyes are now on making an immediate impact in the Stagecoach Super First Division.

The Bankies’ stay in the top flight was a lengthy one, but manager Budgie McGhie – who has been 13 years in the hot seat – is hoping their absence will be far shorter.

Last season was a major disappointment. The writing was on the wall early doors for the Holm Park side when they failed to win any of their first nine league games.

However, their next six games were lost by a single goal, and the other three were draws.

The following five matchs brought wins over Petershill and Irvine Meadow – and single goal losses to Auchinleck Talbot and Beith.

It was an extremely frustrating time for the experienced boss, who said: “After such a bad start, we soon needed a wee bit extra from everyone at the club to turn things around, but it simply wasn’t there.

“If you don’t have a wee bit of dig in reserve then you will struggle.

“We had some good performances in the first half of the season, especially against the top sides. If you were a neutral at a game you might have struggled to tell who was top and who was bottom of the league.

“But I’m keen to leave all that stuff in the past and get on with the fresh challenge of doing well in the Super First Division. We have all hopefully learned some lessons from last season and even though we know from experience that it’s a tough league to get out of, we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“We spent a few years in the First Division and it wasn’t easy. There are 14 teams and half of them were either promoted or relegated last season.

“A couple of wins or defeats quite often determines what end of the league table you’re at – there doesn’t seem to be an awful lot of middle ground.”

The Bankies have been back at pre-season training for a week now, and have enjoyed “four good sessions”, according to the manager.

McGhie has retained around 50 per cent of last season’s squad and has already been active in the transfer market.

He said: “One of the things we do every close season is pick up a few talented players from various Under-21 teams. Last season we only managed to get one, but this year we’ve got around five or six.

“We have been lucky enough to pick up a few good lads from both Goldenhill Under-21s and Harmony Row, who collected most of the major national trophies between them last season.

“We have also managed to sign goalkeeper Josh Lumsden from Dumbarton, and he comes highly recommended. He is still young, but I think he will be a good addition to the squad.

“It sounds simplistic, but the two things we need to concentrate on this season will be shutting up shop at one end and scoring a few more than we did last term at the other. We can talk tactics all day if we want, but football is a simple game.

“Last season we always looked in danger of losing a goal or two and that is something I’m keen to sort out for the new campaign.”

On top of the 16 players he has signed up for the new season, McGhie has also been running the rule over some potential new signings during a week of tough training sessions.

He said: “It actually works both ways. We have a few guys in for training at the moment and if they catch the eye, then it would be good to sign them – but they also must want to play for Clydebank.

“It’s always good to freshen things up, and the sessions have been really positive. I’m quite pleased with what I’ve seen so far and there has been a lot of desire on show.

“There seems to be two main criteria players are looking for when they know you’re after them. The first one is the league you’re playing in, and the second is how much you have to offer. We have lost out on a few players this way, but I try not to get too hung up on it.

“If other teams are paying more then so be it. Both points are outwith my control.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a case of so far, so good. We’re on schedule and will soon be ready to start playing some games. We kick off with a match at Dumbarton a week on Saturday. It will be tough, but great experience for the younger players in the team.

“We then have games against St Anthony’s, Girvan, Hamilton Accies and Harmony Row. There is a good mix there and hopefully we will be ready for the Sectional League Cup immediately afterwards.”

Meanwhile, Shettleston have arranged a couple of pre-season friendlies – both of which will be played at Greenfield Park.

The newly-promoted Super Premier League side host East region cracks Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday, July 25, with a 2pm kick off.

And on Wednesday, July 29, Heart of Midlothian will be the visitors, and that match kicks off at 7pm.