By Andy McGilvray
A summer exodus has left Rutherglen Glencairn with a big turnaround as they prepare for life in the West of Scotland Premier Division. Co-boss Joe Pryce says he has the nucleus of his squad, but admits he鈥檚 surprised by how many players left at the end of a promotion-winning season, including goalkeeper Chris White. But Pryce is confident that he has brought in quality players, which the club expects to start announcing in the coming days. 鈥淲e lost quite a few of last season鈥檚 squad, it鈥檚 almost in double figures, now, that have moved on,鈥 said Pryce. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big turnaround for us. 鈥淏ut the nucleus of the squad 鈥 eight or nine players 鈥 is still there, so we鈥檙e looking to build around that. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to have a huge squad, probably around 18 or 19. 鈥淭he players we鈥檙e bringing in are certainly going to add quality. We鈥檝e got a bit of youth, and a bit of experience. We鈥檙e looking to add good legs in the midfield, to help us out. 鈥淲e need a new goalkeeper, because ours moved on, but these are things we鈥檙e working on, and they鈥檙e not easy to get in, because we鈥檙e a bit picky. 鈥淲e want to make sure we get the right ones in, that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking our time, but I鈥檓 in no doubts that we鈥檒l get there, and we will be ready for the first game of the season.鈥 Glens have been priced out of the market for some players, indicating what they will be up against next term. Pryce said: 鈥淭he finance that is being offered by other clubs is quite simply ludicrous, for our level, but it鈥檚 what they鈥檙e paying. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 blame the players at all 鈥 if somebody is silly enough to offer you that kind of finance, take it. 鈥淲e鈥檝e just got to look after ourselves, in that respect. We have our set budget, we鈥檒l work within that, and we鈥檒l make sure we鈥檙e competitive in that top division.鈥 Glencairn have announced three pre-season friendlies, starting at Thorn Athletic on Wednesday, July 9, Petershill on July 12, and Glenrothes on Saturday, July 19, the 50th anniversary of their Scottish Junior Cup final. Pryce said: 鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason for them all being away from home, it鈥檚 just those are the dates available. 鈥淲e have a couple of bounce games in-between as well, to help us out.鈥