JOHNSTONE Burgh boss Jamie McKim reckons his players are all set for the new league campaign after thumping Kilsyth Rangers at the weekend.

A hat-trick from Kieran Brophy, along with goals from Robbie Stirling, Sean Daly and David Collins, secured a comfortable 6-1 away win on Saturday.

It was the latest run-out in a busy pre-season for Burgh, who travel to Bonnyton Thistle this weekend for their opening match in the 2022/23 First Division campaign.

McKim’s men face a tough start, as each of the opponents in their first three games were playing in the Premier Division last season.

However, he is backing his squad to give any of their rivals a tough test.

“We have to play everybody at some point and I don’t think there’s much between the teams,” he told Gazette Sport.

“We’re in a good place just now and have a lot of good players, so we’ve got to be confident against anybody.”

Burgh took part in four pre-season games in the space of eight days as they prepared for the start of the competitive action.

A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Open Goal Broomhill on July 16 was followed by a win against local rivals Renfrew by the same scoreline two days later.

Next up was a match at Auchinleck Talbot last Wednesday, which also ended in a 2-1 loss, before the victory at Kilsyth.

McKim said he was delighted with his team’s performance at Talbot, who are one of the favourites for the Premier Division this season.

He added: “In the first half, we were a bit anxious to get on the ball but we regrouped at half-time and, in the second half, I thought we were the better team.

“We dominated possession and, when we did get a chance, we took it.

“We want to get on the ball and dominate possession – and to do that against this sort of opponent gives us a lot of belief.”

Kick-off at the Synergy Arena for Burgh’s clash with Bonnyton on Saturday is at 2pm.

Elsewhere, Renfrew rounded off their preparations for the new season by welcoming Gartcairn on Saturday, with the visitors securing a 1-0 win.

New Western Park will also be the venue for Renfrew’s opening league match this Saturday, when Kilsyth come to town, with kick-off at 2pm.

Meanwhile, Thorn Athletic will play their first ever game in the West of Scotland Football League this Saturday as they face St Peters FC in a Fourth Division match that also has a 2pm kick-off.