SAUCHIE are on the verge of completing a "huge" signing as they ramp up preparations for life in the East of Scotland Premier Division.

Today Advertiser Sport can reveal the club are in advanced talks to secure the services of a former Falkirk player who has also plied his trade in England as part of a triple swoop.

The Reds are also in advanced discussions with a League Two winner and a former Stirling Albion youngster.

Sauchie coach Darren Petrie, who has been working closely with assistant Darren Cummings on the deals while new boss Martin Mooney has been on holiday, believes the signings will lift the club to another level.

He told Advertiser Sport: "We have got a couple of players who are going to be joining us, but can't reveal the full details until we have confirmed the deal with their current clubs.

"These signings will be huge for the club and will take us from a side who were going to be trying to avoid relegation to one which can look near the top of the table.

"I am now really looking forward to the season starting now and think it will be a great season for the club."

Sauchie have already secured the signing of former East Stirlingshire player David McCaghie while a number of former manager Iain Diack's charges, including Dylan Taylor, Darren Dolan, and Ross Crawford, have also signed up for another year at the club.

Crawford, however, is currently on trial with Brechin City and Sauchie bosses have promised not to stand in his way should last season's top goalscorer do enough to impress Barry Smith.

The club will return to pre-season next week and will welcome back other club stalwarts, including Stewart Houston and Stevie Dolan, who Petrie hopes will opt to stay in the Wee County.

The Reds will kick off new season with matches against the Alloa Reserves, East Stirlingshire and Glenafton Athletic before the maiden Premier Division campaign.

Petrie continued: "We need players who are going to bring the right pedigree to this league.

"I definitely think we should be aiming for the top half of the table and I am confident going into these sorts of games now.

"It will be good for the boys to be playing teams of the kind of quality and a good test for them."