Ricky Waddell hopes the return of striker Ross McNeil can help Caledonian Braves find their shooting boots this season.
The 30-year-old is back for a third spell at Alliance Park (one under the club’s previous guise as Edusport) and is one of just a handful of new signings alongside former Rangers kid Zac Butterworth.
McNeil, who arrives from West of Scotland League side Drumchapel, has pedigree at this level having been the league’s top scorer when he helped East Kilbride to the 2017/18 title.
Ahead of Saturday’s Lowland League opener with Gala Fairydean Rovers, Waddell said: “We lost a few players in the summer including Rhys Armstrong and Ross isn’t a direct replacement for him, but he offers us something different.
“He’s a poacher, a goal-scorer and he’s got that little bit of experience.
“And he’s got that self-belief and confidence as well, he knows he can go and score goals for us at this level on a consistent basis.
“Ross gives us the opportunity to play in a way where we can go with two strikers and two wide players and get balls in the box.
“Hopefully Ross and others can be on the end of them for us.
“The squad has matured over the course of the last year. I’ve not added too many players but hopefully we can get off to a good start.”
Braves have a run of three home games to start with, as Gretna on Tuesday night and Bo’ness on July 30 follow Gala’s visit.
And Waddell added: “It gives us an opportunity to get points on the board if you approach the games well.
“I’m very much one for being pragmatic and taking one game at a time and our focus is on Gala on Saturday.
“We’ve got three home games to start with which is decent, although our park is a bit sticky at the moment with this hot weather.
“We want to be positive on Saturday and make a good start, but I’m sure Gala will be saying the exact same things.
“They’ve got a new management team in from the end of last season and they will probably fancy their chances as well.
“Hopefully we get a good wee crowd down to the park and we get a result for them.
“We’ve had a decent pre-season, the boys’ fitness levels are good and we are looking forward to it.
“We’ve got a few injury worries with some boys touch-and-go, but we are excited to get the season started.”
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