Lie’s pre season preparations got under way on Saturday with a defeat to East Region giants Linlithgow Rose, with the Barrhead side now getting set to face Johnstone Burgh tonight (Wednesday).

However, the Dunterlie gaffer already has one eye on the competitive action, and is looking for an improvement on last year’s points total.

Downs told Barrhead Sport: “There’s a good feeling around the club just now and I’m delighted that we are back to the football.

“It’s going to be a testing season but I go into every game believing that we can win and I’ll be no different this year.

“I’m not one for setting targets but we will definitely be looking for an improvement on last season. This is a side which took four points off of Auchinleck Talbot so we know what they can do.

“It is about turning that into consistency and doing that against everyone. We need to beat 25 points to have improved, if we do that then it will have been a success.” Saturday’s tie provided Arthurlie fans the first glimpse at a number of their new signings.

Despite the negative 4-1 scoreline Downs was happy with what he saw from his men, and is optimistic about his new sigings.

He added: “I’m delighted with the way the squad is shaping up. Some may look at Saturday’s scoreline and think we were hammered but we played very well for the first 35 minutes before giving away three cheap goals.

“I’m happy with the lads that we’ve brought in. I just felt at the end of the season that we needed a bit of a change, some players had to improve and we wanted competition for places.

“We have now had pre season under our belts, everyone has enjoyed it and we need to set the standards high for the next year.

“I wouldn’t rule out any more signings, no manager would, but I’m happy with the business we have done so far and looking forward to getting some more games under our belts.”