Mark McManus has pledged to do his bit to help Yoker Athletic figure at the sharp end of the Super First Division this season.

The veteran player, about to start a ninth consecutive year on the Whe Ho’s books, wants to avoid a repeat of last season.

READ MORE: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths applauds Moussa Dembele's calm head in Astana penalty clincher

That's when Yoker only avoided a relegation fate on goal difference thanks to chalking up a hat-trick of wins in their final three league games.

He said: "To score 15 goals and concede five was near to a miraculous escape and what made it all the more remarkable was playing the three games in just five days.

“None of us who were here at the time want to experience a similar last month scramble ever again and our target is to start the season as we finished and put points on the board to get ourselves high up the table.

“It’s easier said than done when you consider the Super First Division looks to be packed with even more top teams this time out.

"But the gaffer Steff Reilly has gone out and improved our playing squad with a number of decent signings during the summer months and that’s been reflected in our pre-season friendly outings.

“Four wins and just one defeat - against Arthurlie - has lifted spirits and now everyone is desperate for the season to start in earnest.”

The 35-year-old alternated between full-back and midfield roles in these games and is thought to be firmly in his manager’s selection thoughts, even though his future appearances look likely to be curtailed by ever increasing work commitments.

Mark said: "I will be doing a lot more travelling in my day job which can be limiting.

"However, Steff knows I don’t want to play for any other team than Yoker and he is happy that I make myself available whenever I can.

“He has added good defensive experience in the shape of Reece McGillion (Shettleston) and Kenny Hadden (Petershill) as well as the ex-Queen's Park striker Ryan Hynes.

"And these additions are a godsend when you think that two of our recognised star turns John Harvey and Gary Arbuckle are shift workers and often unavailable.

READ MORE: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths applauds Moussa Dembele's calm head in Astana penalty clincher

“ Hopefully the new boys can help the development of younger guys like Michael Bailley and not forgetting front man Davie Crerand who was all too often asked to play a lone hand in games last season.

“There’s also the equivalent of a new signing with the return of Greg Maitland who picked up an injury last pre-season and hardly featured in any games until crucially coming back to score a few goals in those three victories that saved our neck.”

Mark, who stepped up to the Junior ranks from Harestanes Under 21’s all of 14 years ago, and has seen playing service with Rob Roy, Largs Thistle, Petershill, Rutherglen Glencairn, Maryhill and Yoker, reckons pre-season training is not what it used to be.

He said: "Players take more care of their shape nowadays though you might put that down to the fact the close season is so short that they don’t have enough time to get out of condition.

“Our guys are certainly in great fettle already and tomorrow’s derby showdown against Clydebank cannot come soon enough especially with a big crowd in attendance to create a great atmosphere.

“The Bankies came ever so close to winning promotion last time and are strongly fancied to be one of the title challengers yet again so how we fare against them could well act as a benchmark.

“Yoker’s record in derby matches is fairly decent though we didn’t win any of three head to heads last season so it would be good to put that right and get away to a good start in our Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Section.”

If anything, Clydebank’s pre-season form is even more impressive than their arch foes given they have remained undefeated in five starts inclusive of away visits to big guns Arthurlie and Carnoustie Panmure.

And Budgie McGhie’s revamped side come into tomorrow’s clash buoyed by a 2-0 midweek victory over a strong Dumbarton X1 comprising of several first team players.

The Bankies boss admitted: "The guys played well despite the absence of key players through injury such as Johnny Allan, Jamie Lyden and our team skipper Phil Barclay who may be looking at 4-6 weeks on the sidelines.

“They will be missed but thankfully our newcomers Jamie Darroch and Alan Frizzell have settled in seamlessly while I also have high hopes for Peter McGill who previously was on the books of Ayr United and is a versatile forward type capable of operating as an out and out winger as well as through the middle .

“All told we are in decent shape for facing Yoker, but games against them are always very tight and I don’t expect anything to change in that respect.

“I’ve heard talk of us being regarded as favourites but that tag will make no difference whatsoever as derbies tend to be decided on the day.”

Asked about reputed transfer interest in his players brought the long serving bos , going into his 14th season at the helm, to say: "Joel Kasabundi was on trial at Dumbarton but they didn’t follow up their interest with a signing offer and he has put pen to paper again.

READ MORE: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths applauds Moussa Dembele's calm head in Astana penalty clincher

“Mark Burbridge’s good season brought him our Player of the Year award and put him in the spotlight however the challenge for him is to try and improve himself all over again and see what developments come out of it.”