Johnstone Burgh co-manager Davie Brolly has set promotion as the target for his side this season as they aim to bounce straight back to the Central District First Division.

Burgh suffered from the heartbreak of relegation last year, and with a justgiving page set up in an attempt to raise more funds when the club hit hard times in the summer, he could have been forgiven for lowering his expectations.

Burgh have had a mixed start in the Central District Second Division, Saturday’s 5-3 defeat at Vale of Clyde leaves them with three points from the first nine available.

However, Brolly thinks he and fellow co-manager Colin Smith have put together a squad that should be challenging at the right end of the league.

He said: “Ideally, we’re looking to bounce back straight away.

“We managed to get out the league we’re in just now three seasons ago so I don’t see finances being a problem.

“We should still be looking to get promoted with the squad we’ve got at the moment.

“A few players have left from that time [the promotion three seasons ago]. It’s a fairly new squad and seven or eight new guys came in so there is a wee transition period at the moment, but the players coming in are just as good or even better than the ones that have left so I don’t see it hindering us too much in that respect.”

Burgh have been slow to start in games so far this season and have often faced deficits at half-time. Brolly admits the lacklustre starts have been a big concern for the co-managers and has urged his the squad to be quicker out the blocks.

He said: “It’s something we’re trying to address. We’ve made that point in the dressing room to the players as if we seem to not play for 45 minutes then play for other 45.

“That’s not good enough or enough to win you games. If we give teams a three-goal head start then you’ve got a mountain to climb.

“You’re looking to score four goals to win a game at that point and with the best will in the world that’s not going to happen."