GLASGOW Tigers have a new number one - and he believes he can lead them to Premier League glory.

Richard Lawson, who will spearhead the Ashfield side's bid for honours in 2015, says he wouldn't have signed for the club had he not believed in their ability to become one of the top teams in the country next year.

The Englishman is a former Glasgow track-record holder and has spent most of his Premier League career at northern tracks, including parent club Workington and, last season, Redcar. He is also an established Elite League rider with Lakeside and Peterborough.

In a season-long loan deal, he has joined fellow- countryman James Sarjeant, Australians Nick Morris and Kozza Smith, Sweden's Victor Palovaara and Dimitri Berge of France.

One team place remains to be filled for the Tigers' new season.

Lawson said: "It's an exciting time for Glasgow with potential new owners and the side looks really good. I'm looking forward to going to new surroundings and new team-mates.

"When I was signing I said I wanted to be involved in a strong side - I didn't want to join a club that was mid to bottom-table.

"But co-promoter Alan Dick mentioned a few names and I said, 'I'm up for some of that.'

"Nick is pretty close to my average already and I think there is going to be a fight between a few of us for number one."

The 28-year-old rider believes Tigers should aim to emulate Edinburgh, who took almost every honour going this year and have won the Premier League four times in just over a decade.

"I know the promoters want to do what Edinburgh are doing, and why not have those goals?" Lawson said. "Go big. We should not settle for second-best.

"I challenge any team in the league to come up against us. We could run them on any track. We can do a lot of damage."

Lawson was also convinced to become a Tiger by his liking for the Ashfield circuit. He added: "It is one of my favourite tracks. And you enjoy your speedway when you're in a winning team."

Tigers co-promoter Colin Hamilton said: "Richard will be taking up the number one race-jacket position. It will be a good signing for him and us."

No announcement on Tigers' ownership has been made since Gordon Pairman announced in October he was stepping away.