ARTHURLIE manager Chris Mackie has wielded the axe at Dunterlie Park as he prepares his squad for his first full season in charge.

Despite a seventh place finish in the Premier Division and the Barrhead club staying well clear of relegation for the first time in three seasons, Mackie is adamant changes are necessary if Lie are going to challenge at the top end of the table next season.

As many as eight players will depart and Mackie is in the market for 10 players with arrivals expected to sign up for Lie soon.

He said: “The most important thing is I get a team that is ready for next season. I’ve started that work and there are going to be massive changes.

“I’ve spoken to all of the players at the club and let them know what their immediate futures are.

“Gary Carroll, Eddie McTernan, Gary Smith and Jordan Leyden are on the transfer list.

“Daryl Convery will move to Neilston and Ian Nimmo is going to Kelty Hearts. Gary Bishop and Mark Blakey won’t be offered new contracts.

“We just need to crack on and build a new squad. We’re looking to sign 10 players.”

Mackie insists drastic changes were required to change the culture of the club which finished seventh despite clocking up an incredible 22 red cards throughout the season.

The manager says these decisions have not come lightly but have been under consideration since Mackie took over from Stevie Kerrigan in January.

He added: “I think there needs to be a freshness about the place. I’ve been assessing everything since January – training, attitude, discipline and performance.

“After assessing all of that I thought there is maybe a slight issue there just because of the mentality of the club, which is dictated by certain players who are big characters in the changing room.

“I can’t continuously speak to these people and ask them to be better at it because previous managers have tried and it hasn’t changed.

“It’s at the point where I think the best thing to do is wipe the slate clean. Secondly I believe I will strengthen the positions I’m letting players go in.

“A lot of the players who have left and will leave have been good players for the club, but the club has been underachieving. The club want to finish higher in the league so I’m taking the risk that my signings will be better than what has been here previously.”