CUMNOCK were not underestimating the challenge they faced in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at home to Cambuslang Rangers.

Manager John McKeown said: “Cambuslang have won the last two leagues they played in so they are used to winning.

“I was actually a wee bit apprehensive coming into the game and thought it might have came too early for us.

“But the boys were brilliant. We started shaky, as you would expect, before we blew the cobwebs away but the team were excellent.”

Two of the gaffer’s new signings shared six of the goals in the side’s 7-0 win — Sean McKenzie getting four and Adam Forsyth scoring a double.

McKeown said: “That was good to see but this is just the start. We set a high standard last season and the challenge is to go one better, which is a big ask.

“You hear about the big money being splashed around in the junior game but I think we have the core of a decent squad here.

“If we can keep them altogether and have a good team spirit we will go out and compete as best as we can.

“Yes, this has been a great start but that is all it is...a good start.”

There has not been much movement in and out of Townhead Park with the nucleus of last season’s squad still there.

Another possible loan signing could be coming in, but McKeown is relatively satisfied with the current batch of players.

He said: “Both myself and Martin Devlin, my assistant, have been able to sit back and relax with most of the squad tied up.

“We have brought Sean and Adam back in and had Liam McLaughlin tied up some time back as well.

“So we haven’t really been chasing players, which to be honest we can’t afford to.

“We need to shop in the right market, so hopefully we can get one more in and that will be us.”

Youngsters TJ Shirkie and keeper Lewis Kerr are likely to be going out on loan, to help them both gain some experience.

They will still train with Cumnock with the boss and his backroom staff keeping a close watch on their progress.

Meanwhile, the only players who moved out were Callum McRobbie and Josh Watt.

McRobbie made one of his first appearances for his new club against Cumnock but was unable to prevent a comprehensive defeat.

Next match — Cumnock v St Rochs, July 29, 2pm.