Arthurlie boss Duncan Sinclair is certain his side will be more competitive in a tough West Region Championship next season after bringing in a number of new recruits to bolster his squad.

The Dunterlie Park outfit narrowly missed out on a promotion spot last year despite Sinclair’s concession that his threadbare squad was a little bit too thin at times. 

And after a number of arrivals, Sinclair admits his early frustration in the transfer window has since turned to relief as he plots a successful 2019/20 campaign.

“We’ve been able to bring in five new boys,” he told Barrhead Sport. “We unfortunately missed out on one or two we were hoping to bring in as myself and my assistant were on holiday, but by and large we’ve been able to bring guys in who will definitely improve our squad.

READ MORE: Arthurlie land first summer signing as goalkeeper Craig Gordon agrees one-year deal

“Kieran McDade is a centre back who can cover across the back line, Cammy O’Neil is a local lad who was previously at Morton, Tam McAughy comes from Maryhill and Craig Paterson is a big striker who joins from Neilston. He’s a big forward who will bring us goals. They all join goalkeeper Craig Gordon who signed earlier in the summer and are all boys who will add some quality and depth to the squad and challenge the guys who are already here.

“We were in a situation last season where the numbers dictated and the squad almost picked itself every week. We knew we needed to add to it and we’ve been able to do that over the last couple of weeks. The boys coming in bring a bit of experience and guile with them that was sorely lacking. 

“We lost a lot of silly goals last season so we’ve tried to look at boys who can come in and help with that side of it too.

“We’ve ticked all those boxes in what we were looking for so we’re happy with who we’ve been able to get. I’m hoping they will come in and push for a starting jersey. We want everyone in the squad to be under no illusion that if they aren’t performing and turning up in training on a Monday and Wednesday then they won’t be playing on a Saturday. And same with the match on Saturdays, if they don’t perform in those then we have the cover and quality to drop anyone who isn’t up to scratch.

READ MORE: Sinclair lines up four pre-season friendlies

“The Championship will be extremely tough next season so we need to have that kind of environment where everyone is pushing each other. There are a lot of good teams and lot of good players in this division now so it will be difficult. I can only look after one team and that’s Arthurlie so that’s where all my focus is.”

Lie return to action this weekend as they welcome St Mirren U20s for their first friendly of the summer with Sinclair hoping to use the outing as a chance to see some of the new boys in action as well as work on shape.

He added: “I’m really looking forward to the friendlies coming up. I’m excited to start working on shape and formations and seeing some of these new boys play for the Lie, so it’s an exciting couple of weeks coming up now.

“We are a wee bit behind in terms of pre-season as we’ve only had four sessions but the boys are all looking really good. They are all enthusiastic in training and can’t wait for Saturday.”

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