East Kilbride Thistle targeting West of Scotland League glory, says Barry Russell

Barry Russell insists East Kilbride Thistle are focusing on themselves as they target title glory in the West of Scotland League Third Division this season.

The former Albion Rovers defender was one of a number of impressive summer signings by boss Garry O’Hanlon and says he is at the Showpark to bring success to the club.

Jags kick off their league campaign on Saturday away to Lugar Boswell Thistle and Russell will be striving to bring silverware to the club for the first time in two decades, with their last success the 2002/03 Central League Cup under John Brogan.

Ahead of their season opener, Russell said: “I don’t know too much about Lugar but we are looking at our squad.

“I don’t think we need to care about the opposition, if we get things right. We’ve built a good squad and if we can keep doing what we’ve doing well in pre-season, I think we will be fine.

“I hate going to a team where the only aim is to stay up and the gaffer has made it quite clear we are in this league to get out of it. But even finishing in the top three isn’t something I’d want – I want to go and win it, put a marker down for this club.

“It would be massive for EK Thistle to win the league. It’s not happened in a long time, but we’ve all got the same aim to go out and do that.”

A summer recruitment drive has brought in more experienced heads like ex-Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth, former Clyde midfielder David Gray and ex-Livingston star David Sinclair. In the last week they have also added goalkeeper Kieran Bell from Blantyre Vics and defender Paul Tierney from St Roch’s.

During pre-season Thistle took on tests against higher ranked sides such as Troon, Petershill and Rutherglen, and Russell believes that has prepared them for their crack