IRVINE MEADOW boss Stevie Rankin believes the signing of former Vale of Clyde star turn Beau Longridge will boost his side’s hopes of title glory.

The 23-year old midfielder, who had been in pre-season training with Livingston, completed his move to the Ayrshire big guns before featuring as a substitute in last Saturday’s 2-1 Ardagh Glass Sectional Cup defeat at home to Hurlford United.

And he was in good company alongside similar non-starters Paul Maxwell, Chris Hall, Chris Wilson, Paul Finnigan and Michael Keenan, who could only watch on as their team-mates surrendered a 1-0 half-time lead and conceded second-half counters by United attacking pair Paul McKenzie and Ross Robertson.

Pundits will point to this reverse as further backing for bookmakers odds predicting Medda will be no better than best of the rest in the top flight this season behind Hurlford and reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot.

However, a defiant Rankin was adamant in insisting he and his playing charges can deliver Championship success when speaking earlier.

He said: "There is an impressive strength in depth feel to our playing squad and I believe there are signs of real progress from where we were this time last season.

“Losing out to a strong Hurlford side was a disappointment to everyone connected with the club, not least of all myself.

"However, Darren Henderson is working with the same established squad - barring two or three changes - for the past three years, whereas we have as many as nine changes this season, which is a huge turnaround.

“It’s not altogether surprising we are taking that little bit longer to gel but I’m confident we will be looking better before too long.

“Beau is a box-to-box type in the mould of Sean Fraser and will be a great addition and I’m also looking forward to Maxi regaining full fitness as he’s a million miles away right now after working for the past few months in Malaysia.

“Ever since this Sectional Cup was underway, our focus has been on getting match fitness for every player ahead of the league starting away in a fortnight’s and nothing has changed in that respect.

“We have a couple of testing away games this week with Darvel tomorrow night and then Irvine Vics in the Marymass Festival game on Friday night so you can take it as read that we’ll be utilising our full squad.”

Hurlford’s winning line-up included flying winger Mark Lamont, who had an impressive Junior stint with Petershill last season.

The 22-year old former St Mirren and Dumbarton protégé is a definite signing target after appearing in three games for the Ayrshire giants currently experiencing an injury crisis due to the continuing absence of David McLune, Chris Robertson , Glen Mitchell and Ryan Donnelly.

And the queue outside Blair Park’s treatment room only lengthened in the wake of Saturday’s hard-fought encounter with teenage centre-back Euan Blair facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his interior ligament.

United boss Darren Henderson said: “Mark is a very good player and has qualities we’d love to get on board but he is not short of other options with several Senior clubs showing a keen interest in signing him.

“Losing out in the race for him may force us to turn our attention elsewhere because as things stand we certainly need to boost our dressing room numbers .

“Just about every Super Premier Division club has made strengthening moves over the summer months and we need to follow suit.”

Elsewhere on the transfer front comes news of Beith being prepared to listen to offers for 23-year old central defender David Donnelly, who was out on loan with Central Second Division champions Rossvale for a large slice of last season.

Cardonald-based stopper Donnelly is sure to find himself in demand by those clubs able to recall his outstanding pedigree at Juvenile level when he was a back-to-back Scottish Under 21’s Cup winner with Harmony Row and Campsie Black Watch.

And it might be the case that Arthurlie are on the lookout for a new backroom team coach after former player Alan Waddell accepted an offer to take charge of Dumbarton Under 20’s from Sons manager Stevie Aitken, whom he previously worked under at Stranraer.

Meanwhile, a looming date for most Junior followers to note in their diaries is Thursday, August 27, which is when SJFA chiefs intend to conduct the first-round draw for this season’s Scottish Junior Cup at Hampden Park.

Ties are scheduled for Saturday, September, 26 however byes have been awarded to cup holders Auchinleck Talbot, Kelty Hearts, Hermes, Linlithgow Rose, Banks O Dee and Girvan due to their involvement in the William Hill Scottish Cup proper.

Meanwhile, in games played last night, Rutherglen Glencairn racked up their first Euroscot Eng Cup success by overcoming East Kilbride Thistle 3-2 at the Show Park where all the goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes.

The Glens forged ahead through a Dennis McLaughlin score that was cancelled out by a Barry Rodger goal for the Jags, however the visitors response was two further goals from Paddy Cullen and Sean McGuire for a 3-1 scoreline that was pegged back by Craig Miles on the stroke of half-time.

The Ardagh Glass Cup clash between Girvan and Annbank United was won 3-1 by the hosts thanks to Calum Nairn and Chrissy Allan (2) counters.

LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup. Section Four: East Kilbride Thistle 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 3.

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Section Three: Girvan 3 Annbank Utd 1.