STEVIE KERRIGAN took over the reins at Arthurlie just five weeks ago – and has already set certain ‘goals’ for the club.

Lie are the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and Kerrigan – no slouch in front of goal himself with the likes of Ayr United and Shrewsbury Town – has made moves to rectify it.

He has signed former Hamilton Accies, Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers hitman Darren Gribben.

With Chris Dallas joining Glenafton Athletic, Kerrigan added some cash to that fee to tempt 29-year-old Gribben to Dunterlie Park.

And the man who scored 100 goals at senior level has already started finding the net for the Barrhead boys.

Kerrigan said: “In the league, defensively, we have been decent but our downfall has definitely been scoring goals – or the lack of them.

“I’ve been trying to shuffle things around to rectify the problem. Chris left for Glenafton, which allowed us to bring Darren in from Bo’ness. He is a player I know very well and I think he’s as good as any striker in the junior game at the moment.

“Darren will add something different to the side and I’m hoping he can also help get our ‘goals for’ column moving in the right direction again.

“I know Darren well, so I know he can be a big player for us, and I have already seen signs of what he can do in the couple of bounce games he’s played for us. He has caused defences a lot of problems and has scored three times so far.”

And Kerrigan reckons that a rejuvenated Gary Smith will be the perfect partner for new boy Gribben.

He said: “Gary has also looked good recently and has scored four in the two cup games we’ve played. He is a goalscorer all day long, but we also have to look at other areas of the park that can contribute goals.

“Ryan McGregor can add goals to his game, there is no doubt about that.

“We have also managed to sign midfielder Craig Young from Harestanes Amateurs. I had Craig at Camelon, and he also managed a couple of goals in the recent friendly against Benburb. Bo’ness, Linlithgow Rose and Camelon were also interested in him so I was delighted he chose Arthurlie. It was a good bit of business.”

Kerrigan has settled in well at Dunterlie Park, although a four-month spell at the club last year obviously helped.

But with his feet under the table, he is now keen to get Lie moving upwards again – and out of the Premier League basement.

He said: “It has been a wee bit frustrating with games being cancelled recently, especially league fixtures, but I have had a couple of cup ties which we’ve managed to win 3-0 away from home so it has been enjoyable.

“The performances have been okay and we have done enough to win the games but Saturday’s match at Craigmark wasn’t quite as enjoyable as the Scottish Cup win at Darvel, but you take the wins.”

Lie are currently second bottom of the table, four points behind third-bottom Petershill, but with two games in hand.

This Saturday, they host bottom dogs Irvine Meadow in a must-win league match at Dunterlie.

Kerrigan said: “We aren’t in the best of positions at the moment but there are plenty of games left and there is no need to press any panic buttons. It’s incredible to think we’re now in March and haven’t even played half our fixtures yet.

“We know the importance of this week’s clash with Medda. A win would seriously help our hopes of staying up – while damaging theirs. I don’t think they can afford to lose the game. They have some real quality players and it’s a surprise to everyone in junior football where they are at the moment.

“Historically, the promoted teams are normally the ones that struggle, but that hasn’t been the case this season, so there was always going to be a big hitter getting dragged into the scrap at the bottom.

“At the moment it’s ourselves and Medda, and while the others in the league are hoping that we become detached, we have no intention of doing that.

“But while we might have plenty of games left, time will be of the essence because all these games will soon start coming thick and fast.”

Lie’s Gary Smith took a knock on his knee at Craigmark, and missed out on the midweek friendly at Benburb, but is fully expected to train tonight and be fit for Saturday.