ROB ROY boss Stewart Maxwell is not feeling the strain as the club prepare to kick off the new season back in the Stagecoach Super Premier Division.

The Rabs regained their top-flight status with a play-off victory over Shotts, but already the Kirkintilloch side and Shettleston – promoted as runners-up behind Pollok – have been tipped to drop straight back into the Super First despite the competitive season still a month away.

But the prophets of doom will get no reaction from Maxi, although it appears he is seeking to make a point with his decision to keep new faces to the minimum and stand by the vast majority of last season’s squad.

He said: “It doesn’t matter how you go up as long as you go up, so I don’t agree with anyone thinking the play-off can be regarded as promotion by the back door. Our aim was to win promotion at the start of last season and we achieved it so what is there not to be happy about?

“And we are delighted with how things are coming together in terms of strengthening our squad for the campaign ahead given that we lost only one player who was in our plans – Kevin Watt – after he grabbed the opportunity to step up and join Annan Athletic, where he’ll do very well for sure.

“We are not alone in thinking it’s going to be a very tough and competitive Super Premier Division judging by the fact a lot of teams have made a lot of changes, however making just five summer signings could work in our favour. The new guys are bedding in nicely and there’s already a settled look about us.”

Cumbernauld duo Danny Boyle and Gavin Mackie, Steven McGuire (Cumnock), Tony McParland (Irvine Meadow) and Jordan McGuire (Tower Hearts), are the new boys, and Maxi added: “Danny is a bit of a man-mountain and an old-fashioned ball-winning type, particularly in respect of aerial challenges, and his qualities could prove vital going down to places like Auchinleck and Glenafton.

“Gavin, by contrast, is a very exciting and versatile winger who will relish this chance to showcase his talents against the best Junior defenders and Tony falls into the same bracket after failing to settle at a number of clubs.

“A run of injuries meant Stevie did not enjoy the best of seasons at Cumnock, but he has worked hard on getting himself fit and looking sharp, so he could prove an adequate replacement for Kevin Watt.

“I’ve deliberately left young midfielder Jordan to the last because he arrived as a trialist from Tower Hearts towards the end of last season and marked his debut with a wonder goal in the play-off win over Shotts.

“Our supporters will be delighted at his coming on board and he has all the makings of a terrific young prospect once he adapts to the more physical demands of the Junior game.

“We also have Alan Urqhuart coming back from a season-long injury absence so he will be like a new player, and he, along with Jordan and Chris Duff, have it in them to be very big players.

“I’m setting the guys no targets other than to survive in the top league and show signs of real progression on the playing side to match what is going on behind the scenes.

“Our new purpose-built stadium is looking like being ready some time next year and Rob Roy want to be playing in it as a Super Premier club.”

Rob Roy take part in their first pre-season matches this weekend when they line up against an Airdrie XI in the opening game of the Joe Meldrum Tournament hosted by Glenafton, who take on Dalbeattie Star.

On the transfer front, ambitious Troon have won the race for the signature of Cumnock’s transfer-listed midfielder Chris McKnight.

SATURDAY FRIENDLIES

Dumbarton XI v Clydebank, Luncarty v Kilbirnie, Abbey Vale v Larkhall (Palmerston), St Anthony's v Cumnock, East Kilbride v Yoker, Forth v Rossvale, Whitehill Welfare v Beith, Dunoon v Greenock, Annbank v Tarbolton, Oban Saints v Vale of Leven, Cambuslang v Irvine Vics, St Roch's v Haldane, Seaham Star v Troon, Ardeer v Gartcairn, Penicuik v Irvine Meadow, Petershill v Partick Thistle XI, Armadale v Kilsyth, Glencairn v Hurlford, Arthurlie v Linlithgow, Rosyth v Port Glasgow, Blackburn v Dunipace, Carluke v Pumpherston, Vale of Clyde v Shettleston, Craigmark v Auchinleck, Lanark v Cumbernauld, Dunbar v Kilwinning, Harestanes v Newmains, Maryhill v Overtown, Fleet Star v Whitletts.

Joe Meldrum Tournament: Airdrie XI v Rob Roy (12.30), Glenafton v Dalbeattie Star (3.0).

SUNDAY

Joe Meldrum Tournament: Third place play-off and final.