Kevin Muirhead hopes his new summer signing will spark a Neilston goal rush.
The Brig O’Lea boss insists finding a potent marksman was “invaluable” for next season’s tilt at the West of Scotland League First Division after snapping up Jake Hughes from Blantyre Victoria.
Murihead – who spent five years with Muirkirk in East Ayrshire before moving to the Farmer’s Boys – clinched safety for Neilston with a game to spare and is now excited at being able to build his own squad.
And he has added experience to his group with a title-winning striker as Hughes makes the move to East Renfrewshire.
Hughes was part of the Vics team that won the 2020 West Region Championship and has also turned out for Fauldhouse United.
Muirhead said: “It is an exciting time as I am able to add my own players to the team.
“I feel that the team I inherited from Chris [Cameron] and Derek [Carson] I got a really good tune of them as we knew what we had to do.
“But now it is time for me to be able to go and bring in my own players and hopefully see where that takes us. It is invaluable in terms of the experience that Jake will bring to us.
“In this league, it can be one of the strongest leagues at this level, so bringing in players that are consistent is what I am looking for.
“Being able to retain a number of the current team was good as there are great players who know the level.
“Ciaran Friel was one that was massive for us as he is an experienced centre-back – he has been at the level for a long time so to get him in and build the team around him is a good starting point for us.”
Busy boss Muirhead has also signed seven others from the class of 2022-23 with Dom Reilly, Darren Jones, Dillan Duddy, Cammy Haddow, Sam Ballantyne and Shaun Gallagher putting pen to paper; and Ross Cabuk stepping up from the Under-20s. However, striker Tam McGaughey has been made available for transfer.
Meanwhile, Muirhead insists he wants to create a clear pathway for youth players at Neilston as he looks to take inspiration from Hamilton Accies.
The Farmer’s Boys manager has spoken about the importance of experience in next season’s West of Scotland League First Division and is determined to utilise the Brig O’Lea outfit’s Under-20s set-up.
“Bringing in youth players has always been part of my coaching,” he added. “I spent 10 years at Hamilton Accies learning all about introducing youth players – and they are one of the best at.
“It is key to the club to have our own players who could come in and make an impact before moving on and making the club money. Having a pathway is something that I always want to make clear to those younger players.”
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