SAUCHIE have announced former player Ian Diack as the club’s new manager ahead of the new season.

The club moved quickly to tie up the former striker after Fraser Duncan moved on after nine years at the helm.

And after making the switch, the new boss has vowed to carry on the great work done by his predecessor.

Diack told Advertiser Sport: “I’m delighted to get my first job. Taking charge of the last four or five games at Kilsyth has given me the confidence to go on and do it full-time.

“I played for Fraser and was part of his coaching staff so I know how he works and the job he done probably won’t be beaten. I’ll just be looking to build on the great work he done.”

The appointment has pleased chairman Noel Dalli, who said: “We are happy about the appointment. Once we were voted into the new league, we moved quickly to get a manager in. We are certainly happier now that we have our management team in place.”

Dalli concedes that his side are unlikely to challenge for titles this season, but has given his new gaffer targets.

He added: “The aim is to just consolidate our position first of all. The season starts on July 28, but we have some difficult cup ties before the league starts.”

Skipper Brian Morgan has already left the club for Bo'ness United and Diack also revealed that he has spoken with transfer targets already.

He said: “I can’t give too much away, but we have spoken to a few guys.

"Morgy is going to be a hard role to fill but the guys we’re looking at will be all right. One guy doesn’t define a team.”

The new man also said that he is looking to change the mind of another player heading for the exit door.

Diack added: “David Morrison has retired, but we would love to change his mind on that. We’ll speak to him and see what we can do.”

Assistant boss Adrian Hanson will continue in his role as second in command, which will provide Diack with a great insight into his own players and opposition.

Diack played for Sauchie for two years from 2014 until 2016 before serving some time on the coaching staff. He then moved on to Kilsyth Rangers.

Before playing for Sauchie, the new manager plied his trade at a number of senior clubs including Morton, Stenhousemuir and Berwick Rangers.