LARGS Thistle's hopes for the new season have been bolstered by the arrival of a new defender - from the team who Stuart Davidson's men will face on the opening day.
Kieran Brady arrives at Barrfields after being released by Johnstone Burgh at the close of the 2023-24 campaign.
He goes straight into the Thistle squad for this Saturday's Premier Division opener at home to the big-spending Keanie Park side, who secured promotion to the top flight after finishing third in the First Division last season behind Drumchapel and Shotts Bon Accord.
The arrival of Brady, who moved to Keanie Park from Renfrew's under-21s in 2019, gives Largs an extra boost as they gear up for the big kick-off after five wins out of five during pre-season.
It also strengthens what is already looking a strong looking defence, alongside Ryan McCreath, Cory Hughes and wing back Conor Bradley, another close season signing from Arthurlie.
Up front, much of Thistle's success this season will depend on the goalscoring form of Will Sewell, who added two more goals to his pre-season tally in Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Petershill.
The close season comings and goings at Barrfields have included the departure of Scott Adam and Darryl Duffy, two experienced forwards who may prove difficult to replace, with David Ramsay the only other striker of note in the team.
However, Davidson does have other options up front, including Jamie Martin and Blair Devine, who are both capable of weighing in with goals, while Lewis Davidson can also trouble opposing goalkeepers from midfield.
Silky forward Ryan Deas has also featured in recent weeks, having bagged a spectacular free kick against Maryhill in the Pat Rall Memorial tournament; Deas has shown he is a capable attacking option from the bench.
Key to Thistle's hopes of improving on their fifth place finish last season will be the stability provided by their long-serving players, including the ever-reliable Stuart Faulds in the heart of midfield and the hard-working Laurie McMaster, now one of the club's longest-serving players.
David McGrath now has a full season with Largs under his belt after missing the first six months of his Thistle career two years ago, and Cole Ojungu showed what he's capable of with a neat strike in the friendly win over Port Glasgow, while between the sticks Joe Wilton also has a big part to play, having recorded several shut-outs towards the end of last season.
And while Johnstone Burgh may be new arrivals in the top flight, they still boast plenty of experience on the field and in the dugout, with Graham Dorrans and Kyle Lafferty among the players looking to test the Premier Division's defences and manager Murdo MacKinnon hoping to match or better his time in the hotseat at Pollok and, most recently, Cumnock Juniors.
And MacKinnon's men go into Saturday's game off the back of some fine pre-season results of their own, including a 4-1 defeat of Rutherglen Glencairn and a 2-0 win over Sauchie Juniors, who Largs will face in the Junior Cup later in the season.
Saturday's match gets under way at 2pm.
* Congratulations to Anne Girvan for winning the Largs Thistle lotto prize for July with a £310 win. For more details on joining, head to the Largs Thistle website http://largsthistle.info/lottery/
* Largs Thistle 20s trial night and match is on Thursday July 25 from 7pm. For more details, contact the club.
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