NEW Renfrew boss Danny Gault knows what he has let himself in for by taking over at Western Park.

And he is aware no quick-fix is possible for the side rooted to the bottom of the Super Premier League.

Gault, who met his new charges immediately after their 3-0 league defeat by Pollok, has previously bossed Greenock and Hurlford. He said: "The last thing they needed was anyone coming in with a big stick and making them feel worse.

"But everyone has to realise we will be fighting their corner with them from here on.

"This is not going to be any quick fix and achieving a third bottom play-off spot is going to take a supreme effort.

"But as long as there is hope then we intend to give it our best shot."

He added: "We need to get back to basics in order to make any forward progress. This means striking a balance between enjoyment and putting in hard graft."

"Players should be looking forward to turning up for training and to playing games, yet this is definitely not the case just now.

"Our aim is to change this mindset and get them going in an upward direction."

Gault has vowed to give the squad he inherited every chance to prove their worth yet admits he will "have no hesitation in looking to the transfer market if the right players become available."

I hear two former Morton aces are neck and neck in the running to land the vacant Largs Thistle hotseat.

Cappielow team-mates Joe McLaughlin and Tommy Turner are hot favourites, with the latter, currently on Johnstone's books, possibly having an edge on account of having played for the Barrfields club.

Rutherglen have secured nearby Fullarton Park for their Scottish Cup, fifth round replay with Kilwinning, while Dunipace have allowed Westfield Park to stage Petershill's showdown against Ballingray Rovers.

On the transfer front, freed Irvine Meadow striker Steven Reid turned down Troon in order to sign for Kilwinning Rangers.

And he almost made a dream debut in their weekend 1-1 draw with Glencairn after coming off the bench to fire the Buffs into a 73rd minute lead.

Another debutant attracting praise was Clydebank's newcomer Paul Alum, once of Dundee United, following his showing in the 2-1 win over Glasgow Perthshire, which put the Bankies clear in second top in the Central First Division standings.

At the other end of the table, Cambuslang Rangers had no fewer than five new faces on show as Alan Wardlaw's reign at Somervell Park got off to the best possible start with a 3-2 defeat of Dunipace.

Also catching the eye were one-time Dunfermline keeper Stevie Chappell, and centre-half Billy Farmer, in for ex-Motherwell ace Brian Martin, whose departure from the Wee Gers was only to be expected after losing out in the race for the manager's chair.

Elsewhere, Neilston have snapped up Saltcoats Vics midfielder Stevie McLean.