JOHN HUGHES is hoping a raft of summer signings will help Maryhill fans forget about the close-season departures of Lochburn Park playing favourites.

Eyebrows were knowingly raised when highly-regarded goalkeeper Jack Baker and feted striking pair Jamie Docherty and Justin Begg were among the star turns lured away to pastures new in the wake of the famous old Glasgow club dramatically winning their battle to avoid relegation from the Super First Division at the end of last season.

But redoubtable gaffer Hughes did not let his disappointment show…particularly his regret at losing marksman Docherty…and instead has willingly set about the task of reinforcing his Maryhill side to be stronger and better prepared for the new Junior campaign.

It remains to be seen whether his team-building has been successful, however Hughes is delighted to be working with a signed up 18-man squad containing fully eight newcomers and with others in the pipeline.

He insisted: “Jack Baker was a big player in every sense for us last season so him deciding to join Rutherglen Glencairn was a sore one and I’m not going to pretend otherwise, however getting Timmy Hollis in as a replacement who previously played under me with Postal United and the Scottish Amateur Select has more than softened the blow.

“And if we are just as successful with an approach to land a seasoned Junior keeper over the next few days then I don’t see between the posts being a concern.

“Neither am I losing sleep over our striking options after Andy McEwan’s display in Monday night’s 4-2 win over a very good Vale of Clyde side.

“He previously played Kilsyth Rangers and Glencairn before dropping into the amateur ranks to score over 20 goals in helping Cambria win the West of Scotland Cup last time and he has stepped back up here eager to prove he can hack it at Junior level.

“And there is no denying he showed his eye for a goal is as good as ever after helping himself to a hat-trick against the Vale while the ex-Tower Hearts striker signing Ciaron Smith also scored in an otherwise strong running and pacy performance.

“Ryan Tiffaney who was previously on the books of Cumbernauld United last season is on board and he can play wide or through the middle while another frontman looking the part is Ross Eaglesham so I cannot help but think this Maryhill side are packing a bigger punch than before.”

Among his other recruits are a trio of centre-backs Alex McFarlane of last season’s crack Barrhead Under 21’s side, ex-Pollok and Yoker Athletic ace Reece McGillion and the former Rutherglen Glencairn stopper Mark Russell.

He insisted: “Mark is a powerful ball winner while Reece provides great balance as a natural left footer yet both players will need to be at their best to keep young McFarlane out of the team.

“He is a real prospect, capable of playing anywhere across the back four and I fancy he will be attracting Senior interest before too long.”

Hughes is delighted to have retained the backbone of last season’s squad but has revealed he is currently running the rule over a band of trialists, five of whom featured in the Vale of Clyde game, and he refuses to rule out further new faces, being unveiled in Saturday’s friendly encounter against Port Glasgow, now managed by former Maryhill manager Brian Heron.

Hughes admitted: “One of the biggest differences I found when coming into the Juniors for the first time last season was that every game presents a different challenge and you have to think about how you want to set the team up.

“Having plenty of selection options helps no end and I owe it to Maryhill and our supporters to be forever trying to improve the team by bringing in better players.

“I can’t say whether any of the guys in training with us will fit the bill but they will certainly get the opportunity at this club.

Elsewhere on the Junior transfer scene comes news of Clydebank boss Kieran McAnespie strengthening his playing hand by snapping up Cumnock winger Josh Watt and former Clyde midfielder Phil Johnston who are both tipped to feature in tonight’s friendly joust with Hamilton Accies Under 20’s.

Among other games, Auchinleck Talbot host the visit of Troon while Larkhall Thistle will look to continue their impressive start to the season when taking on Rob Roy and the largest crowd of the night is tipped to take in the Newlandsfield showdown of city rivals Pollok and Petershill.