Chris Mackie sets sights on Arthurlie title challenge

The Dunterlie Park side narrowly avoided relegation last season after a poor run of form until January when former boss Robert Downs departed.

After Stevie Kerrigan took over, Lie have seen an upturn in form which saw them retain their top flight status.

The feel-good factor has continued throughout the summer with a number of high-profile signings checking in.

Player/assistant manager Mackie, conceded it was an ambitious aim given Lie’s recent league history but insists the Arthurlie now have the quality to compete at the top of the table.

He said: “We’ve brought in players of the quality of Darren Gribben who has scored nearly 100 goals in senior football, Ian Nimmo who was at Arbroath, Graham Girvan who was at Ross County, Ryan Deas is one of the best midfielders in the league.

“We can’t add players like that to the good players we’ve kept at the club and not ask them to go and challenge for the title because we’d be kidding them on.

“Providing we get a good start we are going to try and win this league, no question. I know it is a big shout, but I’ve looked at some of the other teams in the league, there’s three or four guys in our squad who get into every squad in the Premier League.

“The players, me and Stevie want it that’s why we’re here. Arthurlie have fought relegation in recent years, we’re not interested in that.”

Arthurlie last week added Sauchie midfielder David Morrison to the squad.

Morrison is a player Mackie knows well form their time at Petershill together and the 31-year-old was delighted to finally get his man after a summer-long pursuit.

He said: “David Morrison has come in. He’s got a good pedigree, he’s a great player. I played with him, and he’ll be an asset.

“We’ve brought in Ian Nimmo and Ryan Deas, guys who are great on the ball. We need legs around those guys and David is a very fit lad who is great on the ball. We’re delighted to get him in because we have been chasing him all summer.”