The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Petrie begins to lay foundations for the future at Links Park
While Montrose still have lots to play for this season, boss Stewart Petrie has revealed he has already started preparing for the next campaign.
Having secured their No 1 target for the season – League 2 safety – the Gable Endies have continued with a great late run of form to take them into the fourth-place promotion play-off spot.
However, Petrie is not content to rest on his laurels and has been in discussion with key players he wants to keep once the dust has settled on this campaign.
The manager said: “I have started talking to the players about next season.
“I had already held talks with two or three before we had assured our safety in League 2 which was always our priority this season.
“The lads have really stepped up to the mark since we came in and the last thing we want is to make wholesale changes this summer.
“We have a great team spirit and it would be great to retain the majority or nucleus for next season.
“So we have started talking and although some of the lads may ultimately decide they have better offers elsewhere, we would like to have the squad in place as early as possible during the summer.
“The cup games come round really quickly and the last thing we want to do is be playing a lot of trialists.
“That does not mean we are not going to try to add quality players, although they will also need to have the right character.”
One of the current players Petrie has spoken to about staying is veteran striker Chris Templeman.
The 37-year-old scored his side’s winner at Berwick on Saturday, his fourth goal in as many games, and his manager is keen to have him on board for next season.
He added: “Chris scored another great goal at the weekend and he is one we have started discussions with about next season. He seems to really be enjoying his football at the moment and is at the top of his game.
“There cannot be many centre-halves who look forward to facing him just now and we are hopeful he will agree to stay.”
The manager himself admitted he could not be happier at the club and he has held talks with chairman John Crawford about the long-term future.
He said: “I signed a two-year deal when I took over at the club and I am really happy here.
“I have a great relationship with the chairman and speak to him on a regular basis.
“We have also had a long chat about what we want to do with the club. But the most important thing is that we get the players sorted first.”