THERE has been a wind of change blowing through Keanie Park this summer and new Burgh boss Colin Smith is feeling the breath of fresh air.

Smith and co-manager David Brolly will take their spot in the dugout for their first competitive match in charge of the club on Saturday when the side face Greenock Juniors in the Sectional League Cup.

And, speaking to Gazette Sport, Smith admitted he can’t wait for the season to get underway, he said: “We are all ready and raring to go, we have enjoyed a good pre season campaign and now it is time to put that preparation into action.

“The club never really took this competition seriously before, but we will be taking it very serious and we are looking to go as far as we can in the tournament, hopefully topping the group.” A solid pre season campaign has seen the Keanie Park side rack up victories over the likes of Largs Thistle and Troon as they prepare for the traditional competitive curtain raiser at the weekend.

Smith outlined his hopes for the season ahead following years spent in the Keanie Park dugout desperate to implement his own tactics, admitting it is a privilege to finally be given the opportunity to lead the club he once played for.

He added: “It is an honour to take over the club, never did I dream I would become the manager when I joined around nine years ago.

“I’ve been involved in junior football for 17 years now and Burgh were always a big player, it was an honour to play for them never mind now getting the opportunity to manage the club — and I think that sense of pride has rubbed off on the players as the atmosphere around the club is fantastic, it is like a breath of fresh air.” With the likes of Cambuslang Rangers splashing out on players during the summer Burgh have gone somewhat under the radar in the pre season promotion predictions.

However, Smith insists the whole club feel they should be challenging at the right end of the table come next May.

He said: “We want to have a good crack at it but we know the pressure is on.

“We expect to be up the top of this league and getting promoted — given the chance we would like to climb the leagues, get some more fans through the doors and get us in a position where we are an attractive proposition.

“Everyone connected to the club is really ambitious and everyone is hard at work behind the scenes trying to make this club a success.”