AMBITIOUS new Saltcoats Victoria manager George Grierson is aiming high after taking the reins at Campbell Park.

The ex-Kilwinning Rangers title-winning boss, who recently quit Muirkirk to take over the Seasiders hopes to steer the District League basement side into the third tier of Junior Football at the end of the season.

And he has made a host of new signings as he prepares for his first challenge - a friendly away to Lesmahagow on Saturday.

He said: "I brought in a lot of new players at Muirkirk but was finding it difficult to attract them into that area and I spoke to the chairman Raymond Montgomerie about joining the club. It's easier to find players in the area and I know it well, having been with Kilwinning Rangers.

"The friendly will give me an opportunity to have a good look at the squad. I also look forward to our first competitive game at home to Maybole a week on Saturday - Carlo Walker has a good side who could be promotion contenders but we are looking to take something from the game."

Asked about his overall objectives the new boss added: "It will be a big ask given where we are but hopefully we can finish seventh in the District League, which would get us into League One after reconstruction next season. We all have to set targets."

The Seasiders have snapped up ex-Partick Thistle youths midfielder Paul Millar (19) from Muirkirk and midfielder Rodrick Watupa from Lowland League team BSC Glasgow. Also on board are midfielder Darren McIntyre, who was at Muirkirk and Buffs with Grierson, along with German Dominic Chiedu, a centre half from Yoker Athletic. Right midfielder Steven Hill joins on loan from Buffs.

Grierson, who has appointed ex-Kilwinning and Saltcoats player Mark Ferris as his assistant, said: "We have made good additions to the squad. There were two when I arrived and we now have 15 or 16 which is a good number."

Meanwhile Beith Juniors coach Tam Miller has praised the trio of Bellsdale Park players who represented Junior Scotland in last week's Quadrangular Tournament. The Scots were runners-up to Northern Ireland.

Representing the Garnock Valley club were defender Nicky Docherty and strikers Keir Milliken and David McKenna.

Miller said: "It was a great honour to have three players in the squad and all had game time.

The coach is now focusing firmly on Saturday's home Super Premier Division clash with Pollok.

He said: "It has been difficult for Pollok as they have brought in a whole lot of new players but they are picking up and are a good side. But we bounced back well from the Kilbirnie defeat to beat Cumnock. We are at home and looking to win."