TERRY HEWITT reckons he and his Blantyre Vics team-mates are in great shape heading into the new season – despite experiencing the shortest summer break in his playing career.

Boss David Greig’s decision to only put his players through their pre-season paces over the past fortnight is a direct consequence of the Vics having played their final game of last season in the third week in June.

They then had a three-week long close season during which Greggy signed Kevin Green (Arthurlie), Ryan Tiffney (Rob Roy), Robert Wright (Petershill) and ex-Cowdenbeath midfielder Colin Marshall, who has also played in Spain, Iceland and Japan.

Also back on board is former Vics goalkeeper Paul Burns, who was between the sticks when the Super First Division new boys went down 2-1 against Shettleston in midweek.

Hewitt said: "There was so much to be happy about with our performance, considering we are weeks behind Shettleston in terms of preparation after the gaffer delayed our return.

“He normally cracks the whip in terms of his fitness demands, but a rest was badly needed after our long season and he definitely made the right call in holding off the start of our pre-season work.

“To be fair, our fitness levels have not suffered because of the short time since we last played, and we looked relatively sharp in the Shettleston game albeit the new lads are still gelling in.

“David Galt has stepped up to Queen's Park and Davie Kirkwood went back to Glasgow Perthshire, while Fraser Malcolm made the surprising shout to retire at the age of 27, but otherwise we are the same team as before and that is a big plus.

Vics continue to be linked with former Pollok and Rossvale hitman Robbie Winters as well as their former frontman Stephen McDonald, who moved to Petershill this time last season.

He added: "Losing both Div and Kirky leaves us light in attacking options, so I can well understand the gaffer attempting to bring in more forwards, but we don’t normally find out about his transfer targets until they appear in our dressing room.

“We do have Wasso Ferguson looking sharp and hungry after missing a large chunk of last season through injury, and he will make a difference.”

Wing ace Galt, who only put pen-to-paper for Queen's last Tuesday, was an interested spectator at the Shettleston game and he is not ruling out the prospect of his former team clinching promotion for a third consecutive season to join the Super Premier elite.

He insisted: "I’m loving it at Hampden where I am playing alongside guys I know well from the Juniors such as Bryan Wharton (ex-Shotts), Vinnie Berry (Clydebank), Joe Bradley (Beith) and my former Petershill team-mate Paul Woods.

“Our first competitive game is against Edinburgh City in the Petrofac Cup today, but once the final whistle goes I’ll be texting to see how Blantyre fared in their friendly against Broxburn.

“I’m a Queen's player and they will get all my focus and energy, but I will always have a soft spot for the Vics and my former team-mates after all we came through in the past couple of seasons.

“They are again looking strong, with Davie adding some decent signings, and I fancy they will be in the promotion mix yet again come next May.”

Cumbernauld have signed former Glencairn and Beith winger Kris Irvine, however United boss John Queen was not so fortunate in his pursuit of one-time Rob Roy striker Scott Morton, who has penned a deal with Bellshill.

Clydebank’s decision to transfer list versatile defender Scott Walker is certain to attract attention from interested clubs, while another relegated outfit – Shotts – have snapped up Pat Walker (Glenafton), Josh Flood (Rob Roy) and former Bellshill full-back Max McKie, who had been in pre-season training with Queen's Park.

Largs have moved to land frontman Mathew Santos after he netted in a friendly win over one of his former clubs, Saltcoats, and Cumnock boss John McKeown is reported to have signed attacking midfielder Paul Burns, formerly on the books at Queen of the South.

TODAY

Friendlies: St Anthony's v Clydebank, Cambuslang v Thorniewood, Craigroyston v Arthurlie, Hurlford v Whitletts, Ardeer v Goldenhill Boys' U21s, Larkhall v Drumchapel, Blantyre Vics v Broxburn, Kilsyth v Camelon, Carluke v Kello, Newmains v Lesmahagow, Shettleston v Bonnyrigg, Bathgate v Saltcoats, Dalbeattie Star v Johnstone Burgh, Forth v Bellshill, Irvine Meadow v Kelty, Beith v Linlithgow, Irvine Vics v Vale of Leven, Cumbernauld v Lanark, Vale of Clyde v Pollok, Crossgates Primrose v Glencairn, Sauchie v Petershill, Yoker v Haddington, Brechin Vics v Neilston, St Roch's v Port Glasgow, Newtongrange v Auchinleck, Scone Thistle v Wishaw, Stoneyburn v Royal Albert.

DENNIS DONNELLY MEMORIAL GAME: Benburb v Ardrossan.

DUNIPACE TOURNAMENT: Dunipace v East Stirling, East Kilbride v Maryhill.

JAMES GLEN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT (Kilbirnie): Largs v Glencairn, Kilbirnie v Renfrew.

KILWINNING RANGERS TOURNAMENT: Troon v Ayr Utd XI, Kilwinning v Broomhill SC.