Defiant team boss John McKeown says anyone who thinks survival is the best his Wishaw side can hope for in their first Central First Division campaign since the early 1970's is barking up the wrong tree.

The one-time Ipswich Town and Ayr United player understands why the Lanarkshire outfit are being tipped to go straight back down again.

However, the impressive manner of his side's pre-season build-up has him feeling optimistic about Wishaw's chances of figuring in the top half of the table.

McKeown is long enough in the tooth not to read too much into pre-season friendly outcomes, but opening with a 2-2 Beltane Park draw against Pollok and a 4-1 defeat of Busby Amateurs was followed last weekend with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn United.

Goals from Ryan Kennedy and a Michael Collinder ­double sealed a comprehensive win that has McKeown looking forward to leading his troops into Ayrshire for a daunting double-header against Kilwinning Rangers (on Saturday) and Scottish Junior Cup holders Hurlford United (next Wednesday).

"We set the guys an­extremely stiff pre-season programme, but I have to say they have come through it with flying colours up to now," said McKeown.

"And although two huge tests are arguably yet to come - does it come any tougher than the Junior Cup holders on their own patch? - I have every confidence in the players acquitting themselves well.

"One of the most pleasing aspects for myself as team manager is the fact we have given such good accounts of ourselves despite the absence of a number of key players .

"Nikky Moore and club captain Neil Newman have yet to kick a ball in anger because of injury, while one of our close season signings, Mark Daly, has been kept out of things because of work commitments.

"On top of that, Paul McGeough only figured in the Pollok game before going away on holiday.

"To have four guys of their calibre about to come back into our plans gives us a major boost on the playing front.

"And McGeough, who previously played with Rob Roy and Irvine Meadow, is someone we particularly want to see in games as he possesses outstanding individual skills.

"He looked the part appearing as a trialist towards the end of last season and the prospect of him and Kieron Downs teaming up together to run at opposition defences is something to really savour," McKeown said.

"The return of Neil can only provide added motivation as he's an experienced and inspirational type.

"However, it has to be said that big Ryan Kennedy has taken up the armband with great effect in our friendly games - proving himself a defensive powerhouse and weighing in with three goals into the bargain.

"Our close-season newcomers from Overtoun Amateurs, brothers Sandy and Jason Thomson, have found it easy to bed themselves in as has ex-Rutherglen Glencairn under 21 Kieron Chalmers. There's a feelgood factor in our dressing room right now.

"Most people in the game will look at Wishaw coming up as third best of the promoted sides and reckon we are certs to go straight back down again, but I fancy us to prove a few doubters wrong, added McKeown.

"Certainly if pre-season is anything to go by then the players are up for meeting whatever the First Division throws at us."