WHAT ABOUT THE LEAGUE’S NEW BOYS?

Kelty Hearts are the new kids on the block in the Lowland League this season – and they have the same lofty ambitions as East Kilbride.

The Fife outfit cruised to the East of Scotland League title last season and thrashed Threave 10-0 on aggregate in the Lowland League play-off to gain entry into this season’s competition.

And they arrive for the first season in Scotland’s fifth tier determined to make it to the SPFL. The club left the Junior ranks, where they were East Super League champions in 2014/15 and 2016/17, to pursue the pathway to league football.

Kelty’s ambition is further exemplified by the construction of a new 350-seater stand at their New Central Park home, which is set to be completed in time for Saturday’s big kick-off.

‘The Hearts’can boast former Dunfermline and Forfar midfielder Stephen Husband in their ranks, as well as ex-Spartans striker Errol Douglas, and they’ll be a bit of an unknown quantity.

Notable pre-season results include a 2-1 victory over League Two side Cowdenbeath and a 5-1 win over Dunfermline’s development team, so they could pose a challenge to what has become the traditional quartet of title hopefuls: EK, Spartans, BSC and East Stirling.

They first play Kilby on September 29 at K-Park and, intriguingly, on the final day of the season (April 20) at New Central Park.