THE new man in the Rosebank hotseat reckons his Lugar side can mount a title challenge this season.

New Bunnets gaffer, Derek McMurdo, 35, has had a hug rebuilding job on his hands this summer, but he reckons he's now happy with his squad.

The ex-Ochiltree United boss is also an ex-Lugar and Muirkirk star.

McMurdo took over after Lugar called an end to its partnership with Ayr United and the departure of Graeme Neil.

McMurdo said: "It had became apparent that that had run it's course. It was once it was decided that the deal was going to stop that I started talking with Lugar.

"I came in and it was pretty much a clean slate. We had three players that we had retained from last year and we've now got a squad of eighteen."

Lugar will also now see the return of Steven Shankland next term. Shankland knocked back the advances of Muirkirk to join Lugar.

The new Boswell boss has saw his side struggle to get any pre season friendlies in recent weeks due to cancellations. He said: "I've never known anything like it. We've played four friendlies but we've struggled in the last couple of weeks with pull outs.

"The way we will approach the cup is it's a continuation of the pre season.

"We believe we have a good chance of doing something in the league this year and we are happy with the squad we have."

The Bunnets get the Ardagh Glass Cup campaign off the marker when they travel to take on Cumnock at the newly surfaced Townhead Park.

Elsewhere, Glenafton pulled off a bumper signing when they enticed ex-Rangers and Ayr stopper, Kyle McAusland to Loch Park.

Cumnock lad, McAusland, put pen to paper on a move to the New Cumnock outfit last week.

The 23-year old joined Gers in 2012 and had loan spells at the Honest Men and Brechin City. He then had a spell at Dunfermline Athletic before he moved to Alloa Athletic last season where he made 24 appearances for Jack Ross' side.

Glens fought off competition from several senior and junior clubs.

McAusland could be in the frame to make his Glens debut when they travel to take on Kello Rovers at Nithside Park in the Ardagh Glass Cup on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Talbot sealed a deal for Darvel's Neil McPherson. McPherson featured as a trialist for Tommy Sloan's side in bounce games against Newtongrange and Craigmark, forcing the Beechwood boss to bite the bullet and snap him up.