BLANTYRE Vics manager Murdie McKinnon's New Year resolution is to have his players looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.

The appointment of the former Irvine Meadow assistant boss to the Castle Park helm on Hogmanay has resulted in a particularly hectic schedule.

And that has included him and No.2 Ian Penman getting preparations for this weekend’s home clash with Ardrossan Winton Rovers underway by meeting up with the Vics players for the first time last night.

But there was nothing awkward about this initial get-together as several of the Super First Division outfit’s playing squad are well known to the management duo.

Chief among that group is stopper Lee McShane and striker Craig Smith, both of whom were coached by Murdie when he was part of Stevie Rankin’s backroom team at Ashfield.

The new gaffer could be forgiven for attempting to ease himself gently into his first managerial post in his own right.

However, he has wasted no time in getting down to work both on and off the training ground.

He said: “I’ve got to know a lot of faces in the Juniors working as Stevie’s No.2 over the past 11 years so experienced types like Terry Hewitt, Kevin Green and Stevie Dymock are no strangers and that’s before taking into account our first-hand knowledge of big Lee and Craig.

“And let’s not forget there’s also Mark Thomson, previously our skipper at Ashfield and Irvine Meadow and someone whose abilities I rate highly.

"But unfortunately Mark was missing last night as he’s on his way back from a winter break overseas so our catch-up with him will need to wait until he returns.

“Looking around the dressing room and the sheer quality of players at my disposal brought home to me just how wonderful an opportunity I’ve been given and my job from here on is to try and make the most of it.

"It seemed a good starting point to let the guys know the standards and expectations I will expect of them as Blantyre Vics players and I must admit to being totally impressed with their enthusiasm and attitude.

“Nobody least of all myself is under no illusions that getting ourselves into the top half of the table will be a real test but it’s possible if we all work together and it’s a major plus having such a close knit dressing room.”

Murdie intends giving every player on the Castle Park books a chance to impress, but nevertheless he is already mulling over the prospect of bringing in new recruits.

He added: “Our club officials have been most supportive and I’m grateful for that and their affording me a free hand on team matters.

"But it’s already clear that we are lacking a bit of strength in depth in certain areas of the pitch.

“It’s true our playing squad numbers are 18 in total, but several long-term injuries reduce that total significantly and there’s the added problem now of Kevin Rutkiewicz having been released after intimating he wanted to move elsewhere.

”My immediate task is to get 16 fit and available players for the game against Ardrossan and if that’s not possible from within the club then I’ll not hesitate to go out and bring in one or two trialists.”

Murdie refused to be drawn on the positions he feels are needing to be filled or whether he is keen to bring on board experienced midfielder David Sinclair who had worked under him when loaned out to Irvine Meadow from Stirling Albion but is a free agent since the turn of the year and is hoping to be fixed up with a Junior club.

Word on the comings and goings front reckons experienced Pollok central defender Gary Wild, reputed to be a signing target for Rossvale, is also on the lookout for a new club after recently buying out his own transfer.

And one hears Arthurlie are willing to listen to offers for bustling frontman Gary Smith who has been deemed surplus to requirements along with tough-tackling full-back Craig Palmer.