IT has been a case of who wants the Lie star, as opposed to shot JR in recent weeks — but Arthurlie boss Robert Downs insists Chris Dallas is here to stay.

The Dunterlie hitman has been linked with just about every side in the Super League over the close season following a fruitful return to the juniors last campaign.

Having signed a 18-month deal with the club in January, Dallas was always under contract for the upcoming season. That, however, had done little to subdue the rumours that he could be heading for the exit door during the summer months.

Downs stressed it is Destination Dunterlie for his star striker, who he revealed has indeed attracted interest from numerous suitors.

He told Barrhead Sport: “Chris Dallas is 100 per cent not for sale.

“Every single club that has come in for him has been told the exact same thing: Dallas is going nowhere.

“The club have received a number of offers for him, but we don’t want too lose him and he is more than happy to stay.

“That shows to me just how much he wants to be here. We have received offers from pretty much everyone — Talbot included — but Chris Dallas will be an Arthurlie player next season.” With pre-season plans now reaching the final frontier, Downs was quick to point out how happy he was with preparations thus far.

The majority of last season’s squad have committed their future to the side, with a number, including Michael White and Conner McGlinchey, turning down offers from senior sides.

Linlithgow Rose provide the opposition for their friendly opener before the competitive action kicks-off on August 8, with a derby match with Pollok — a tie the former Lok and Lie striker is relishing.

“What a way to start the season. These are the games you look forward to as a player and a manager”, he rapped.

“We have three to six weeks to integrate the new guys into the squad and I’m feeling positive about the squad for this season.

“It has been a mad few weeks since the cup final. It has been non-stop looking at players, signing players, and thinking you’ve signed players.

“It is all a bit different for me, the onus here is different from Bellshill where money didn’t tend to come into the equation.” It is sure to be a busy few weeks down at Dunterlie, but Lie will be hoping to draw first blood over their old foes when they come knocking next month.