BRIAN McEWAN is determined to make up for lost time by helping Shettleston make the most of their long-awaited return to the West Region top table this season.

Being sidelined for over a year with a recurring ankle ligament problem – which required surgery to cure – caused the one-time Celtic and Kilmarnock midfielder to play in only the final six games of last season as the 112-year old East End of Glasgow club clinched promotion to the Super Premier Division.

The 26-year-old recalled: “The guys did brilliantly to get us up and it was a dream come true to get the boots back on and play a part – even one as small as mine.

“A lack of fitness saw me struggle to get through some games, but I’m in much better physical condition now after two weeks of pre-season training. And, with the ankle feeling so much stronger, I cannot wait for Shettleston to be going head-to-head with Junior football’s big guns on a regular basis.

“There’s so much to look forward to – bigger crowds, better pitches and, best of all, the chance to compete against the game’s top players and only time will tell if we can hack it at this level.

"However, nobody will ever accuse our dressing room of not giving it our best shot. And to those people already tagging us as relegation fodder, then all I can say is we were similarly written off when coming up into the Super First Division as newcomers just 12 months ago, yet we emerged as the surprise packets!

“To do so again is a huge ask, but there’s a strong nucleus of decent players at the club, and gaffer Hugh Kelly has been tweaking with a few transfer additions over the summer months so we are looking in relatively good shape.”

Greenfield Park’s array of new faces to date include former Senior strikers Graham Ramage and Keigan Parker, midfielder Jordan Dalzell (Glencairn) and ex-Clyde centre-back Ryan “Bobo” Frances, whose Town debut may come against his former Junior club Vale of Clyde tomorrow when Shettleston make the short hop to face their neighbours in a pre-season friendly (2pm).

Town boss Kelly insists he will use the Fullarton Park encounter to kick-start his side’s preparations for their Super Premier baptism.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, friendly matches and, indeed, our Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup ties, are all a means to an end – having my players fine-tuned for the start of our league campaign on the last Saturday in August.

“Ours is an unbelievably tough start in having to kick off away to the champions Auchinleck Talbot, followed by games against Irvine Meadow at home and Rob Roy away, so it is imperative we are in the best possible shape to give our all.”

Kelly has also snapped up James Upton and Craig Halliday from Wellhouse Amateurs, and he believes they will make their mark among the top-flight clubs.

He added: “James was on our books a few years back, but unfortunately suffered a bad leg break in a game against Greenock and dropped out of football before returning to star alongside Craig for Wellhouse a few season's ago.

“I have high hopes of them doing well, not least because we also managed to retain every one of last season’s squad, including strike pair Calum McRobbie and Scott Anson, who were actively targeted by other clubs during the close season.

“They could prove a handful for defences and we are also hopeful of big things from Ryan Scott, Bob Campbell and, of course, McEwan, now that he is back fully fit and raring to go after his long lay-off.

“Another major plus is our captain Reon Juskowiack signing back on again after initially indicating he was calling time on his playing career as he has been one of the real cornerstones of our climb back to prominence, and I will sleep a lot better on Friday nights for knowing he will be around at the heart of our defence."

The unavailability of experienced goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell for tomorrow’s encounter could see Kelly field ex-Tin Pail No.1 Ryan Mailey, and he will be keen to do well against his former team, whose line-up is set to include new signing Blair McDonald.

Vale gaffer Ian Currie said: "Blair netted 25 goals playing midfield/striker for his amateur team last season and has the makings of a very good prospect.

“He’s the son of Tam – the Shotts manager and Auchinleck legend – so if he’s a chip off the old block then we could be on a winner.”

The rounds of ins and outs are showing no signs of abating, with Petershill reportedly on the verge of concluding a deal for former Queen's Park central defender James Brough, while Thorniewood’s veteran striker Steven Mullen is thought to be on his way to Cumbernauld.

And Arthurlie gaffer Robert Downs has headed off a number of clubs to fix up his former Bellshill defender Steven Tart, who had been in training with the Spiders.

On July 15, we wrongly identified Goldenhill Under-21s coach Graeme George as son of legendary Junior boss Jim George, when in fact he is his nephew. We are happy to correct the error.