MARTIN LAUCHLAN says standing still is not an option when newly-crowned Central Second Division champions Rossvale step up to a higher league next season.

His players have yet to get their hands on the silverware, yet gaffer Lauchy is making plans to build on the Bishopbriggs club's momentous triumph by strengthening his playing hand for cutting it with the First Division's finest.

Rossvale have won their league at a canter, but Lauchlan's playing experiences in the Super Premier Division with Bellshill and Petershill, as well as coaching stints with Vale of Clyde, Forth and Wishaw, have him warning "the hard work is only starting now."

He revealed: "What has been achieved by Rossvale this season is remarkable given that Carlo Girasoli and I started last summer with just six players and had to put together a team almost from scratch.

"But it speaks volumes about the guys who came on board that they gelled quickly to have such a terrific league campaign, and a strong bond has evolved which has made for a dressing room spirit that is second to none.

"But I'm aware Rossvale's winning ways over the past eight months will have come to the attention of the bigger Junior clubs, so it's only to be expected these same players will be the subject of transfer approaches.

"Fraser Team, Yami Misango, Rhys Donaldson and Chris McQuade are just some of the younger ones attracting more than passing attention, while the goalscoring nous of Robbie Winters is sought by at least one Super Premier outfit.

"I've no doubt he could have his pick of many top sides, but Robbie's a real down-to-earth bloke who is happy playing here and nobody would have guessed his background looking at him out with the team celebrating our championship win."

Lauchy was delighted to see his club's Under-21 players taking in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Vale of Leven from the New Petershill Park terracing, and insisted: "Our sights are now set on winning our final three league games to try and reach 55 points and beat the record total of 53 set by Blantyre Vics last season as well as giving a good showing of ourselves in the remaining two cup competitions.

"Away from the pitch it is imperative we take the longer-term view of getting our key players fixed up on contracts, while at the same time bringing through some of the younger guys from the club's feeder ranks.

"That's why it was vital for the Under-21's to get a close up view of the fitness levels and highly competitive element prevailing at this level of the game as it gives them an inkling of what to expect if they do manage to make the step up.

"And our wish is to help their acclimatisation by adding a few of the more seasoned Junior guys who have been impressed with our progress and expressed a desire to join us next season. I would hate for standards to slip now we have experienced our first taste of success."

Meanwhile, Blantyre Vics have not given up on another title success, even though they are facing a fixture backlog.

Manager Davie Greig said: "The fact our last league game was in November shows how hard we have been hit by cup postponements. And the consequence is my players are facing up to a minimum of 20 matches between now and the end of season, which is a demanding schedule for part-time players.

"Injuries are inevitable and points will be dropped, but stringing a few wins together, starting with Ashfield this week, would set us up nicely for achieving our target of 52 points."

Greig has boosted his squad for their run-in with the acquisition of Irvine Meadow skipper and midfielder Mark Thomson, who has moved to Castle Park on loan looking to hone his match fitness.

The Vics gaffer added: "Thommo is a fantastic capture, even if it is only for an initial period of one month, and his coming on board is very timely with Ryan McGrath (ankle) and Kyle Lochhead (hamstring) ruled out of action.

"He trained with us last Saturday and his qualities were there for all to see, yet he mixed with the other guys and shared a few laughs as if he had played with Blantyre Vics for years.

"Thommo is a top player and I can see him exerting a huge influence on the team and I'm already planning to go to Stevie Rankin and ask for his services until the end of season."

He added: "And isn't it just one of those quirks of coincidence his debut is likely to come - weather permitting - against Ashfield, where he was a mainstay for several seasons.

"Thommo will be fired up to do well and my only regret is our other ex-Ashfield stalwart, Craig Smith. will not be lining up alongside him after being ruled out for six weeks with a broken hand picked up against Newtongrange Star."