Burgh building a strong squad for new season

JOHNSTONE BURGH.............1 ST ROCH’S................................1

Burgh boss Jamie McKim insists this is the best squad he has ever assembled.

The Johnstone side have made several additions to their squad so far ahead of the start of their West of Scotland League Conference A campaign, including winger Phil Lee who linked up last week.

Jason Hardie, the club’s top goalscorer last year, has also recommitted to the Keanie Park team and manager McKim believes this is the best group of players he’s collected ahead of the new season.

He told Express Sport : “We’ve been working hard off the pitch to put together the team and I’m delighted with how we’re looking now.

“Phil Lee scored a hat-trick against Ashfield last week in the first half.

“I wanted to sign him at halftime!

“He’s a really good addition to the side. He’s a strong runner off the left wing and his goal threat is clear to see too.

“We’ve also managed to get Hardie back in, which is a massive boost.

“He was our top scorer last season and he had a lot of different options as a result of that form.

“Thankfully for us, after about three or four months to get it over the line he’s now signed up and gives us another dimension up front with the other strikers we already have.

“This is certainly the strongest squad I’ve ever had here and we just can’t wait for the season to get up and running now.”

Burgh went behind against St Roch’s at Keanie Park on Saturday in their latest preseason friendly.

They hit back in the second half through Nathan Marriot, with McKim saying the only downside to the weekend was that Burgh supporters weren’t able to take in the spectacle.

He said: “It was a very good game, a neutral viewer would certainly have enjoyed it.

“It was really competitive and both teams were really going for it. With it being a pre-season friendly caution got thrown to the wind at times.

“Their goalkeeper pulled off one of the best saves I’ve ever seen in the first half from a Hardie shot.

“Hi s re f l e x e s w e re incredible.

“Unfortunately there were no fans in to see it, but we have bought in some new camera equipment that will allow us to stream our home league games once the league starts up.”

McKim can’t wait for the club’s supporters to see their side in action again, with the players having now shaken off the months of rust picked up over a long lockdown lay-off.

He added: “I have to say I was a bit worried during our first game because we looked a bit off the pace.

“The difference from then until now is just unbelievable though.

“The match sharpness is 10 times what it was and I honestly feel like if the league was to start this weekend coming we’d be more than ready for it.

“Our first game is set to be on Saturday October 24 and there’s a meeting this week which will confirm that start date or not.

“There’s been talk about additional funding and whatnot but we’ve just been focusing all our energy on getting ready for the league on the pitch.

“I feel like we’re pretty much there now so now it’s just fingers crossed everything goes ahead as planned.”

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is another pre-season friendly tonight, this time against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Keanie Park.

They then face Drumchapel United away on Saturday.