CLYDEBANK manager Budgie McGhie is eager to put last season well and truly behind him as he bids to take the Bankies back to the top flight.

McGhie’s side endured a difficult season last term, finishing bottom of the Premier Division and exiting every cup competition to lower league opposition.

After a period of reflection, McGhie’s thoughts are firmly on how his side will shape up next season.

He said: “Well we need to win more games obviously. I don’t really want to go over last year because I’m now in the mode where people can give their opinions and talk about it all they want, I have my opinion and I will keep that to myself.

“Next year I’m just looking for Clydebank to be a team that goes about their games with a lot of pace, a lot of energy and a real desire to win, that’s I want from the team next year.

“It’s all about gearing up for next year now, I’m as busy as I’ve been for years. We’re taking in all sorts of games, talking to lots of players. It’s not easy because you can talk to 10 players and maybe only get one or two signings out of it.” Casting his mind back to last year, the Bankies boss is under no illusions that the team owe the fans after an abject season. And while some have accused the players signed at the start of the last campaign of not offering enough throughout the year, McGhie insists the longer serving players must also shoulder the blame. He added: “The fans deserve better next year, that goes without saying, our fans have had a tough year.

"At the same time, nothing is a given. We probably had one of our best pre-seasons last year, we beat Hamilton, we beat Dumbarton, ok they put out young teams but these games are still really hard games.

“We started reasonably promising and got through in our League Cup group, even some of the early games in the league were ok, there just seemed to be a gradual deterioration for whatever reason.

“People want you to bring new players during the season, well we did that. What I would say is did some of the players who were here the previous season, when we came fourth and won two cups, produce the same level of performance? I’ve got my views on that and you can’t blame the new guys coming in for that, nobody made them play badly.”