ARTHURLIE manager Stevie Kerrigan has seen enough from his new-look squad to convince him the Barrhead side will stay well clear of relegation this season.

The Lie opened their league campaign with a 4-0 home defeat to reigning champions and title favourites Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

The Dunterlie Park side have come close to dropping out of the Super League Premier Division in recent seasons, however Kerrigan has had the chance to overhaul the squad since arriving in January and he is adamant his players can make sure the Lie faithful have a less tense season this time around.

He said: “I think that is realistic. To keep away from relegation for the first time in a while and have a good go in the cups.

“I’d like to think we would be operating in the top half of the league for most of the season.

“For us it is about trying to progress and we need to improve on that league position. We don’t have any suggestions that we will be a team who will go out and win leagues.

“But we know where we are at, we think we have improved and over the course of the season we’ll look to continue that.”

Kerrigan missed the league opener on Saturday with work commitments. However after studying the highlights he wasn’t too downbeat at his team’s performance, despite the scoreline.

He said: “The performance would never have suggested it was a 4-0 game. In that sense we can feel a bit hard done to.

“But that is why Talbot have won the titles they have won, you feel at times you have done well against them and come away with nothing.”

Lie travel to face Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday (2pm kick-off) and Kerrigan believes his side are well placed to register their first points of the season. He also revealed that he doesn’t expect any new arrivals at Dunterlie Park, unless players become agitated at not playing and ask to move on.

He added: “Kilbirnie have spent money and brought in some good players. But we have a good squad and there is nothing for us to fear.

“I’m more than happy with the squad, the team is gelling together well.

“There could be one or two tweaks here and there with the squad but I feel as though the quality is there.

“We won’t be bringing anyone in unless players leave.”