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We kick-off our sixth year in the SPFL on Saturday afternoon when Annan Athletic visit Balmoral Stadium.

Since returning to pre-season training six weeks ago, the squad has now played ten games, and having seen the team stepping it up across the Premier Sports Cup campaign, Paul Hartley believes we are in a good place as the League One marathon gets underway:

“I have seen a big improvement the last couple of weeks, the performance levels have been better against Forfar, Livingston and then especially Dunfermline. We took a lot of confidence from that win against a Championship side, and we can take that into the League One season.”

“While the last two seasons have not gone as well as we would have hoped, it is still quite an achievement for a club of our size to be competing as we have, and we go into this one full of hope and optimism.

“We have worked really hard pre-season, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge which lies ahead.”

With Mark Gallagher and Josh Kerr both deciding to leave Cove for personal reasons this week, the manager knows he will have to bring new faces in, something he is working tirelessly on, but he remains convinced the group he has can make an impact in the coming months:

“I think we’re more than ready. The squad is still a little short in terms of numbers, we know that, and we are working to get players in, but that’s not always as easy as people might think. We will add to it, but I have a good group here, it’s a strong squad, and I’ve got full belief in what they can do.”

With Falkirk and Hamilton both going up, Paul says League One is going to be highly competitive this time round, and he thinks every one of the ten sides will fancy their chances:

“It’s an open league this year. Every team in the division will be good, they’ll be hard to break down, so it will be important to get off to a positive start. You probably need about six to eight games, then you’ll have a better idea where you are and what the challenge is going to be.”

“I have been in football a long time now, but more than ever I have that buzz, that excitement, ahead of the league season kicking-off; this is the real stuff, this is why we train hard for what will be another long, and unpredictable, campaign.

“It all starts with Annan, hopefully we can put on a good performance, but the most important thing is winning, and that’s exactly what we will be trying to do.”

Grady McGrath serves out his two-match ban, but Fraser Fyvie returns from suspension, and captain Mitch Megginson is in the squad for the first time this season.

Supporters can purchase their tickets in advance at this LINK

The full interview with Paul Hartley can be viewed at the Cove Rangers YouTube channel.

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