Arthurlie boss Stevie Kerrigan has backed new signing Darren Gribben to fire the goals to secure Lie’s Premier League status.

Kerrigan took charge of his first game as Lie boss since taking over from Robert Downs on Saturday, a 3-0 win at Darvel which put Lie in the hat for the last eight of the Scottish Cup.

Since then he has confirmed the capture of Darren Gribben from Bo’ness United, a striker he knew from his two spells at the East Region side, as coach and assistant manager.

Chris Dallas has departed for Glenafton, former Lie boss Craig McEwan took the striker to Glenafton after a long pursuit in a move which part-funded Kerrigan’s swoop for Gribben and Lie player/coach Chris Mackie.

The Dunterlie Park side remain four points from safety in the league but Kerrigan is in no doubt that former Stranraer, Berwick Rangers and Forfar striker Gribben is the man to fire them up the league.

He said: “I do think we’ve got enough to stay in the league. Adding Darren Gribben to that just strengthens that belief. I’ve known Darren from Bo’ness, on and off, for about three years.

“In the time I’ve worked him he’s always been a 20-plus goal a season striker. For us to do that business is brilliant.

“Chris Dallas was part of that. Everyone at Arthurlie thought a lot of Chris and we wish him well. His contract was running down and we had a bid on the table from Glenafton, which would’ve been crazy not to look at.

“We sized everything up and we thought it would be best if we could get Darren and also Chris Mackie signed up as a player.

“The club put a bit of money to it as well, they backed it and it was good to have that backing from form them.

“We have a goalkeeper and a midfielder coming in for our friendly with Renfrew on Wednesday so we can have a look at them. But most of our business is done.”

Kerrigan admitted that staying in the top flight is his main priority for the rest of the season, but he holds out hope of an historic Scottish Cup win with the Barrhead side awaiting the the quarter-final draw.

He added: “It’s paramount that we stay in the league, however when you get to the last eight you can’t help but think you have a chance. It’s difficult to prioritise, you have to try and do it all.

“It’s a great club, there’s maybe been a bit of negativity around Arthurlie for a while and it’s up to us to put a smile back on the fans’ faces.”