Shotts get ready for Championship test

Mckeown says Accord are prepared for step up

Shotts Bon Accord fans will be hoping their manager breaks an unwanted tradition on their league opener this Saturday.

Gaffer John Mckeown is sure that his squad have what it takes to stay up this season after a tremendous campaign that saw them promoted from League One.

But he knows that breaking his duck in the opening fixture of the Championship could help his side early on this season.

He said: “We’ve got Petershill away on Saturday which is one of the toughest games we could have.

“It would be great to get a bit of momentum going early on, but I do have a bit of a reputation for never winning any of my first games!

“I always have, from my time at Wishaw and Cumnock I’ve always struggled to win on the opening day. Hopefully we can change that this Saturday!”

Mckeown is delighted to have kept the core of his promotion-winning side together from last season, as well as adding in quality signings including Eddie Malone and Morgan Dunlop, who has joined on loan from Albion Rovers.

He knows they are going to have to step up though to defy their underdog status as they compete with some of the biggest spenders in the junior leagues.

He said: “We know we are going to be underdogs.

“A lot of people will be tipping us to go straight back down.

“But we can use that as motivation and we had a strong defence last season that we’ve bolstered over the summer too.

“It’s going to be really difficult against some real quality opposition.

“The money that Darvel and some of the other teams are spending is ridiculous.

“We’ll make it difficult for everyone though, especially at Hannah Park, so I’m confident for the season ahead.”