Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat praised the impact of his substitutions for helping his side to three points on the opening day of the Premier Division season.

A trio of changes on the hour mark had just the effect on the game that the Bankies boss would have been looking for as two of them found the net in the 3-1 win at Arthurlie.

Ciaran Mulcahy got the opener five minutes after coming on before Gary Carroll equalised for last seasons Conference A champions.

Clydebank responded immediately through Matt Niven with another substitute, Liam McGonigle, wrapping things up in the final ten minutes.

Moff admits a fast start to this season was crucial as they were made to wait for their first three points in the 2021/22 campaign and was delighted with the way his side reacted to being pegged back on Saturday.

Speaking to the Post, he said: “The main objective when you kick a season off is to get three points and get up and running.

“We spoke about that before the game because last season we started with two draws so you’re always keen to get the three points and it was good to get that out the way straight away.

“We were in control of the second-half and then they come back into it with a penalty but going ahead again so quickly probably knocked the stuffing out of them.

“It felt a wee bit undeserved when they equalised but we scored quickly and then killed the game straight after it so it was a really good response and there’s a lot of positives to take from the game.

“We made a quite bold change on the hour with three substitutions, which now with the five substitution rule we can afford to do.

“I thought that worked for us and that’s no slight on the guys that came off because they put a lot into the game. Bringing on the three fresh bodies definitely got us over the line.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing in the week building up to Saturday as Moff was forced to deal with a number of suspensions that were carried over from last season.

He was receiving mixed messages from the clerical offices at Hampden Park and only learned on Friday afternoon that he would be without a man he had built his pre-match preparations around.

He explained: “We had gone back and double checked all the new signings had no outstanding disciplinary issues and we got an e-mail back from Hampden saying it was all good.

“We checked again on Larry McMahon and were told again he has nothing against him and then on Friday lunchtime the suspended list comes out and he is on it.

“We went back again to check if it was a mistake and they said he should be on the list and it was a mistake that we were told he was available.

“It’s human error but it’s frustrating when I’ve done a full weeks prep and things on Thursday night specific to the game plan and who was available.

“Over the weekend it looks like a few other teams have had similar issues and potentially played guys who are ineligible so I really feel for teams because it’s been a bit disorganised this week.”

Clydebank host Irvine Meadow XI on Saturday. Kick-off at Holm Park is at 2pm.