THE close-season transformation brought about by Rob Roy boss Stewart Maxwell has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Hard to describe it otherwise since 11 new signings are now on board barely one month on from the Kirkintilloch outfit giving up their Super Premier status through a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the play-off double-header against Shotts Bon Accord.

And, in the best tradition of biting the hand that feeds you, Maxi's first swoops were to land highly-rated duo Dominic O'Halloran and Scott Upton from near-neighbours Cumbernauld United, whose Guy's Meadow ground will be shared by the homeless Rabs next season.

Seasoned Junior trio Paul Finnigan (Shotts Bon Accord), Gary McMenamin (Cumnock), and Richie Chang (Renfrew) have also penned deals, in addition to 19-year-old goalkeeper Jordan Brown, who returns after a loan spell with St Roch's.

However, it is the capture of O'Halloran and Upton that has raised most eyebrows.

Maxi said: "I'd be lying to say there was no hesitation on my part when it came to moving for Dom and Scott, not least because of the magnificent help afforded to Rob Roy by George Watson and his Cumbernauld officials.

"But, ultimately, I am the team manager tasked with putting the best possible Rob Roy side out and both myself and Paul Ronald see these players as integral to our plans for an immediate return to the Super Premier.

New boy O'Halloran admitted: "Deciding to leave Cumbernauld where I have spent three very enjoyable years since Ian Currie signed me from Campsie U-19s was a huge wrench. But I wanted to try something different and Rob Roy are affording me that opportunity.

"Scott Upton and Maxi convinced me on the move and my first training session last Wednesday night confirmed my belief that Rob Roy are a club on the rise."

The gaffer added: "I know what is needed to get out of the Super First Division after playing with the Rob Roy side that were 2006 title-winners, but there is nothing to beat guys with first-hand knowledge of teams lying in wait for us.

"Finny and Richie obviously have this in spades as well and, hopefully, this experience can be passed on to the core of younger players retained from last season's squad."

MAXI, who has appointed older head Gordon Moffat to a player-coach role, is also intent on blooding a raft of Juniors newcomers, among them Jordan McKechnie (Annan Athletic), Greg Barr (Arthurlie Juveniles) and the sought-after pair Stevie Aitken and Jamie Hammill, U-21 Scottish Cup winners with Campsie in May.

The gaffer added: "These lads already have a decent pedigree, with McKechnie given a glowing recommendation by Paul's contacts at Senior level.

"Barr and Hammill are both centre-backs with a bit of stature about them while I'm excited about Aitken, whose 37 goals in 36 games with Campsie marks him out as a penalty-box finisher of the highest order. He could go a long way to filling the boots of Willie Sawyers, whose departure to Irvine Meadow disappointed me as I desperately wanted him to spearhead our fight to bounce straight back up, but he just couldn't stomach dropping out of the top flight.

"But I worry that going to the Medda might be a retrograde step for him. He was always the first name on my teamsheet, but I wonder whether that will be the case at Meadow Park."

Maxi went on to tag Pollok as Super First title favourites after the Southsiders also dropped out of the top flight last term.

He said: "I believe they are the team we all have to beat. Manager Tony McInally has kept an experienced core and has money to spend, which will be a godsend in attracting quality players to the lower league."