The midfielder, who has become a key member of the playing squad since his switch from Largs Thistle, has first hand experience of just how cut-throat the division can be following relegation with the Burgh just over a year ago.

Back then the Keanie Park side could only muster two wins in a dire season, but McStay insists Burgh are perfectly positioned to give the league a fright this time around.

He told Gazette Sport: “We are doing really well and I think we have surprised everyone, even ourselves, I’m surprised with how well we have started.

“I know we have only just stepped up, but I played in this league two years ago and we were getting hammered every week, I think we only won two games that season.

“It is completely different this time round, there is a real bond among the team, we all get along, we socialise away from training and games and there is a real collective spirit.

“That has definitely served us well on the park.

“There are a lot of points to play for but this group has the potential to have a really good season and I would be expecting us to challenge for the top four.” McStay lies a lot of credit at the managers’ office for Burgh’s recent resurgence. The 23-year-old says the managerial duo of Colin Smith and David Brolly have injected a youthful enthusiasm to the club’s routine and believes the only way is up for Burgh.

He added: “Colin and Davie deserve a lot of credit for the way we have improved.

“Everyone enjoys coming to training and playing games and our results prove that.

“We are now going into every game full of confidence with the belief that we are going to come away with a victory, which wasn’t always the case before.” Johnstone Burgh currently sit third in the league table, just behind Rossvale and St Roch’s. All three sides are new to the league following their promotions last season, and McStay is of the belief there isn’t too much of a difference between the divisions.

Carluke Rovers are next to visit Keanie Park, this Saturday, but the midfielder insists his side fear nobody.

McStay said: “Going into the season, obviously you just want to avoid relegation. But now we need to build upon how we have started.

“We had a great run at the end of last season, winning nine or 10 on the spin, and by all accounts we were unlucky to lose to Renfrew a couple of weeks ago.

“The win over Lesmahagow last week showed what we are capable of, they might of beat us in the cup last season but we have improved.

“I definitely think we can be up there challenging, we have kept the squad together and we have the right mentality.”