Andy Cameron's explanation of the thought process which led to him taking over as St Roch's manager during the close season augurs well for the future of the famous old Glasgow club.

"I have always encouraged players to be all they can be in football so what was I to do but follow my own advice when the opportunity to manage the Candy arrived on my doorstep," said the 44-year-old, who lives less than five minutes' walk from the James McGrory Stadium.

It's this proximity which allows him to easily relate to the downturn in fortunes that saw the Garngad outfit slump to third bottom of the Central Second Division standings last season.

Cameron admits to never having played, coached or managed in the Juniors.

His own background is steeped in playing low-level amateur football with local teams such as the Parade, the Huddle, Townhead and St Roch's Amateurs, before reaching the relative heights of Saturday morning league side Blochairn Star, where he was to spend 12 years as player, captain, manager, B Team boss and club chairman.

He said: "My experiences with Blochairn show how vital it is to have St Roch's Juniors at the heart of our community in this part of the city and the importance of getting local people on board as supporters.

"Finances dictate we cannot compete with rival clubs when it comes to enticing seasoned Junior players to join us.

"But I can promise to go after local talent and to this end I have already signed up lads from Germiston, Blackhill, Royston, Barlanark, Hogganfield and Barmulloch to go along with players retained from last season - such as John Connor and John Borris.

"It is patently clear the vast majority of our squad will be lacking in Junior nous initially, but that will come in time and I put a far greater value on all of them hungering to be part of a successful Candy side."

Cameron has moved to plug the gap in his CV with the appointments of former St Roch's players Robert Duffy and Alan Campbell as assistant managers.

Also on board as part of his backroom team is ex-Maryhill forward Chris McFadyean, who was a Scottish Junior Cup winner with Bathgate Thistle in 2008.

Cameron said: "These guys know the Juniors inside out and are top coaches who share the aim of creating the environment at St Roch's which allows players to express themselves.

"It's also about making sure the team and the club are progressing in the right direction.

"It's a massive challenge and one that is made all the more difficult by facing two of the fancied Second Division promotion hopefuls, Forth Wanderers and East Kilbride Thistle, in our opening league games.

"We need to prove ourselves from day one and the key is to make the players better and to support and coach them to becoming the best they possibly can. If that means they eventually leave St Roch's to enhance their football careers then we will have done our job."

Asked if he felt the pressure of expectation weighing down on his shoulders, Cameron added: "I must say we are really looking forward to the season ahead and are fully aware of the responsibility that we have taken on.

"St Roch's have supporters all over the world and it's our job to let them all see their club is heading in the right direction."

On the open-to-transfer list at Shettleston is striker Steven "Dunga" McLung who is available for a nominal fee, while Kilbirnie Ladeside have confirmed the signings of Iain Diack, Steven Meechan and Kieran McAnespie.