New faces help boost Wishaw
Manager Kieran shook up the team following departure of cup heroes
Having only taken over as manager of the club in the latter part of the previous season, Kieran Mcguinness found himself in the unenviable position of having to find an almost complete new squad of players.
As in previous seasons, the squad broke up with a number of players moving to senior football with Albion Rovers and Queens Park.
Others were seduced by offers from other Junior clubs and the challenge of playing in higher leagues, including two leaving for East Super League side Fauldhouse United.
It was clear that season 2018/19 was going to be one of transition and rebuilding for the club.
Speaking to the Wishaw Press as the new season started, Kieran said: “I’ve got 15 signed up and there’s still a few on trial who might make it.
“There’s a couple of senior clubs I have links with who we might get a few boys from. A lot of the guys from last season have moved on, some to senior clubs and some who we’ve let go so it’s a big transition for the club.
“The club probably needed that freshness though and I think there’s a lot to look forward to this season.”
After several seasons of topping the local League Cup section Wishaw exited this season’s competition in second place to rivals Shotts after an earlier win over Forth Wanderers.
The league campaign was to start with a number of low scoring defeats and draws, with only away wins at Maryhill and East Kilbride and a home win against Royal Albert to cheer the Beltane faithful.
The Scottish Cup was exited in a round two replay at Lanark and a round one win in a first ever match against West Calder United.
With the playing squad beginning to settle and now augmented by three on-loan players from Stirling Albion, performances have started to improve with several drawn matches.
Although currently in the lower reaches of the division, the club has still to play any matches against most of the other clubs in the bottom sector of the league.
Kieran is confident Wishy will start to climb the table in the coming months.
The club probably needed that freshness and there’s a lot to look forward to.”