Last updated 13:37, Tuesday, 01 July 2008

GAFFER Harry Cairney will have a frantic search for new players if Annan Athletic win a Scottish Football League spot.

Cairney has built a squad capable of going for glory in the East of Scotland League next season, but will have a bigger budget if their dream of senior football comes true.

That means the former defender, who played over 800 senior games for Airdrieonians and Brechin City, will begin the search for new faces to strengthen his squad.

He said: “I’m preparing for the East of Scotland League season because that’ the budget I have at the moment.

“Should we get into the SFL that budget will increase and we will look at things again.

“I know there are a lot of players who are available after being released by other clubs, and we would try to tap into that pool.

“But we have a lot of guys who are capable of stepping up a level. Mike Jack had a spell at Carlisle United, Chris Jardine was at Rangers as a youngster, our keeper Dougie Calder was at Motherwell, Stuart Hill was at Queen of the South and so too was Steven Sloan.

Cairney – a Glasgow chemistry teacher in his second spell at Annan – admits he is relishing the chance to manage at a higher level after a disappointing spell in the Arbroath hot-seat.