Kieran McAnespie has revealed preliminary talks have taken place with a number of transfer targets as he sets about bolstering his Clydebank squad for the 2019/20 campaign.

The Bankies boss has confirmed that the vast majority of his side had already committed to the club before the final game of the season which means his focus has now shifted to bringing in new faces in order to build on their eighth place finish in the West Region Premiership and their quarter-final run in the Macron Scottish Junior Cup.

“We’ve spoken to a few boys now with the view to bringing them in but I’m still kind of wary to mention any names or delve any deeper because of the way things are in junior football,” McAnespie told Post Sport. “We need to make sure we’re talking to them properly and they’re not still under contract or anything like that.

“There is nothing set in stone yet but we are looking to bolster the squad so we just need to keep working away on that side of things to bring in the right kind of players.

“We’ve got the base of a really good squad here who did well in the league and the cup last season. We’ve been able to sort extensions for everyone we wanted to stay for next season which is a boost this early and this soon after the season has just finished.”

And while Clydebank’s last league match was just two weeks ago, the gaffer has confirmed the club are close to announcing a number of pre-season friendlies at the newly developed Holm Park.

He added: “It’s a quick turnaround but we’re looking to line up a few friendlies to get us up and running at Holm Park again. I believe they’ll be announced shortly once everything is confirmed. We’re hoping to bring a team from the east coast and a couple from the west. Ultimately, we’ll be bringing teams to play at Holm Park so we can get used to it as best as we can before competitive football.

“So there’s a few pencilled in, we just need to get them confirmed now before we make any announcements.”

The gaffer was also quick to confirm that recent vandalism at Holm Park won’t have any impact on the date of the friendlies while condemning those responsible, adding: “We’re looking to play the friendlies in mid-July so the recent vandalism shouldn’t be an issue in holding back any of the matches.

“The thing is, everything we do at this club is for the community and the local area. I have to choose my words carefully here but it comes down to a couple of scumbags who want to ruin things for other people.

“It’s a pity that that’s society right now. These boys could have benefited from the park if they want to play football themselves so they’re ruining it for themselves and the community.

“I don’t know the full extent of the damage but I was raging when I found out. It’s a disgrace.”