Shotts boss admits his side have tough start in West of Scotland League kick-off

Shotts boss John McKeown admits his side will need to be up for a tough start in the West of Scotland League First Division this weekend.

But McKeown hopes to further strengthen his squad in midweek.

The Hannah Park side host Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday before travelling to Ashfield on Tuesday, and McKeown hopes they’re ready.

He said: “We’ve had a decent pre-season, and added a lot of new faces, so it’s now at the real stuff and we’ve got a really tough start at home to Kilbirnie, who are one of the league favourites.

“We’ll need to be up for it, but the boys are looking forward to it, and raring to go.

“I think we’re as ready as we can be. We have another week’s training ahead to work on a wee bit of shape and stuff like that.

“We’ll hopefully add one more new signing this week, so we’re not finished yet, but I’m quite happy with the squad.

“It’s going to be a busy month, hence the reason why we need a big squad.

“I’m just looking forward to it and I think the boys are as well – they’ve been back since June 17 now and they should be ready.

“Everybody seems to be up for it and looking forward to it.”

Shotts’ pre-season programme ended in unorthodox fashion when a Vale of Clyde player threw a punch, prompting the game to be abandoned.

McKeown said: “It wasn’t the best way for the friendlies to end.

“The positive I will take is that we had started the game very well, had a goal of a lead and it was a very good goal, so it was looking promising until the unsavoury side of it happened.

“I don’t think it had to be abandoned, but it’s up to the referee, that’s his decision

“Everything else has gone great, we’ve scored plenty of goals and looked solid. The new lads seem to be bedding in well.”

Fo