CRAIG McEWAN insist a feelgood factor has swept across his club as he aims to lead Glenafton to the defence of their Ardagh Glass League Cup crown.

His revamped Glens side take to the road to face Muirkirk on Saturday and while “Southy” ackowledges his side have undergone a major facelift he is sure his core of players – as well as his new acquisitions – have it in them to rise to the challenge of matching their memorable start to last season.

He said: “Not far short of the heart of the team was ripped out over the summer months with Jambo McKernon and Cammy Marlow snapped up by Queen’s Park, and Michael Wardrope called up by Ayr United on top of Aaron Connelly joining Broomhill SC and Alain Kinney leaving due to work commitments.

“They were five big players and it has not been easy bringing in replacements of a similar quality, but finally there are signs of us getting there.

“We identified a lot of signing targets and managed to bring in the vast majority of them and, just as crucially, we retained the solid core of tried and trusted guys like Jamie McGeoghan, Craig Menzies, Brian McGarrity and Danile Orsi, as well as staving off interest in young defensive prospect Alan Cairns from a number of our Super Premier rivals.”

As well as holding onto key players, Southy says there is a buzz around the Loch Park ground with the prospect of revamping facilities given the green light by investors.

He added: “These are exciting times for the club with funding recently secured for a magnificent two-tier stand including a sports gym and hospitality booth, yet it’s arguably more important to have that feelgood factor coursing through the playing side of things.

“And thankfully the signs are encouraging because I don’t think I am alone in thinking we are slowly but surely acquiring a strength in depth in all areas of the pitch which will serve us well in the coming campaign.”

The former Senior defender praised full-back recruits Ally Park (Auchinleck) and Chris Malone (Kilbirnie), saying: “For my money, Ally is by far and away the best right-back in Junior football and I truly believe he is capable of playing at a much higher level.

“Although Chris is the current Junior Scotland left-back and a terrific defender, it’s our intention to play him further forward in a midfield role as he possesses great presence and drive as well as the aerial ability to score a lot of goals if we can promote him in the right areas.

“And we have managed to obtain a really talented youngster in Craig McGuffie on loan from Ayr United. He is able to play in several positions and he has looked sensational in our pre-season workouts.”

Glenafton’s striking additions include former Auchinleck hitman Mick McCann, who was at Troon last season, while returning to Loch Park for a second stint is livewire forward JP Boyle – on the books of Kilbirnie until picking up a knee injury.

McEwan added: “McCann is a player who comes alive in and around the penalty area and we’re looking forward to seeing how he links up with Joe Andrew, who arrived from Clydebank towards the end of last season.

“And we have high hopes for JP, whose injury appears to have cleared up after almost six months on the sidelines and his willingness to run the channels gives us something different in the forward areas.

“And further back-up, if it’s needed, comes from the ex-Partick Thistle striker Robert Dunn – brought in to replace Stevie Kerrigan in our backroom team – but he is happy to operate in a player/coach role along with Graham Potter.

“All told, our playing squad now numbers 19 and everyone will be needed if we are to give a good account of ourselves and go on to qualify for the latter stages of the Ardagh Cup.”

In friendly contests tonight, Pollok await the visit to Newlandsfield of Shotts Bon Accord with gaffer Tony McInally insisting his players desperately need game time to work up to match fitness.

He said: “Newtongrange were first to just about every second ball on Saturday and I put that down to a lack of match sharpness on our part.

“We’ve only played two friendly games to date, so I’m hoping another 90 minutes will do the trick and have us better prepared for facing Arthurlie on Saturday.”

Neilston and Yoker take on tough opposition in the shape of Super Premier big guns Irvine Meadow and Hurlford United respectively, while Greenock host Clyde’s Under-20s development squad.

In last night’s friendlies, Cumnock had Nicky Moore, Ross McNeil, Adam Lowe and Josh Watt on the scoresheet in a 4-2 defeat of Cambuslang, while emerging striking ace Jordan Shelvey helped himself to a hat-trick as Clydebank ran out 6-1 winners against Harmony Row.

Maryhill’s clash with Petershill was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

LAST NIGHT

Friendlies: Cambuslang Rangers 2 Cumnock 4,Clydebank 6 Harmony Row 1, Fauldhouse United 9 Kilsyth Rangers 0.