Caledonian Braves captain Alan Reid targets top four despite 'ridiculous' Lowland League signings

East Kilbride and Kelty Hearts are clear favourites for the league title after impressive summer sprees.

Caledonian Braves skipper Alan Reid admits some of the signings in the Lowland League this summer have been “ridiculous” – but is still targeting the top four.

A wealth of talent has switched to the fifth tier this summer with the likes of Chris Erskine, Paul Paton, and Kyle Hutton among the big names to make the move to East Kilbride.

The 29-year-old admits he has been stunned by some of the names dropping down the leagues, but is only concentrating on the Braves’ squad.

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“The quality that is coming into the league is ridiculous to be honest,” said the defender.

“Some of these guys should be playing in League One or League Two; maybe even the Championship or Premiership.

“It’s going to be a tough league, but we need to stick together and get the consistency that we started last season with.

“We were a bit up and down and we need to get consitency.

“We are taking it game by game but we want to build on a good start.

“You don’t know where that can take you.

“I’d like to be in the top four, and I don’t think that’s outwith our reach.

“We would need a bit of luck, but you can’t tell what will happen.

“The younger boys have had that full season in the Lowland League and that experience will only help them.

“Last season we might have conceded a late goal or something like that, but they will know how to manage games a bit better now.

“It’s a really good chance for us to kick on.”

Despite the big changes in the fifth tier, Reid believes the Lowland League experience could prove vital for the campaign ahead.

“We had a good squad last year with plenty of good players but we probably lacked that wee bit of experience.

“We had a couple but the rest was supplemented with younger players.

“The likes of Andy Dowie bring a lot of experience that we need for the season ahead.

“In training so far he has been on it, so it’s been good to get him in, but the other boys look sharp and ready to rock as well.

“Hopefully the majority of boys will kick on from last year. We have had time to gel so we are looking to improve again.”

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