Veteran striker John Gemmell reckons Cambuslang Rangers need six new additions to compete in the West of Scotland League top flight next season.
But he admits the big step up might be too much for him at the age of 37.
Camby are celebrating after wrapping up the Conference B title late last month and have gained promotion to the top flight ahead of league restructuring kicking in over the summer.
It means the Somervell Park side will be battling it out with some of the big names like Pollok and Clydebank, as well as Auchinleck Talbot and Darvel, depending on how the pyramid play-offs pan out.
Cambuslang cruised through their campaign losing just twice on their way to glory, but it will be far from plain sailing next season.
And Gemmell – who has scored 100 goals at Junior/WoSFL level – knows co-bosses Billy Campbell and Paul McColl will need to recruit well in the summer, especially with top scorer Scott Williamson heading to League One Queen’s Park.
He said: “With the squad we’ve got at the moment I don’t think we’d struggle in the top league. I think we would comfortably survive, but we definitely need to improve for next season.
“I’d say we need to bring in five or six quality players for next season and the good thing about the league being over a bit early, it means Paul and Billy can go and watch a couple of games, go and target players at the clubs that will be coming down from the Premier.
“That’s going to be the players we’d be looking for. Boys who want to stay in the top league, try and get a few wee gems. We will definitely need to replenish in defence and up front with Scott leaving.”
The step-up in standard, pace and commitment however could see Gemmell hanging up his boots.
It’s a decision he has swayed with over the course of the season and he admits he still can’t make up his mind – but he could be tempted to bow out on a high.
The former Albion Rovers frontman said: “After winning the league, I’ve had a couple of doubts about what I’m going to do in the future.
“I know I keep swaying on this, but it’s hard. I take a lot of pride in being the club captain and I would like to be part of things going forward.
“But I don’t know how much a part of it I will be next season and I know myself, if I’m not playing every week, I won’t be happy. So I need to decide if the top league is beyond me now and I should just wrap it up on a high.
“I got my 100th goal in the game as well and we’ve won the league, so maybe it’s a good time. It’s hard to recover after games right now. I’ll take a couple of months off and I’m sure I’ll be desperate to get back in.
“I’ve already spoken to Paul and Billy about next season and I’ve told them whatever happens I won’t be going anywhere else.
“It’s a good balance for me with my work and things like that.
“I’ve been taking the training and the warm-ups this season as well, so it’s been good to get into that. But I think it will be a bit more demanding next season.”
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