Now I would walk 500 miles...

"That's not too bad a draw is it? In fact it's a very good one for us I think.

Of course Partick will be the team to beat for sure, they have a full time set up there and are in the Premiership. However the other three are teams we can seriously think about taking points off and winning them all in ninety minutes. If we can do just that and get a bit out of the Partick game then that should do us fine.

Our objective is to make the Second Round once more and you can be assured we will be taking the competition seriously. Not as if we didn't before."

"I'm pleased to welcome four more new faces to the squad officially today even though we signed three of them a few days ago.

We realised that we needed a bit cover at left-back for Michael (Kennedy) who was a great signing last season for that position. Jamie Bain comes in for that and he's a very experienced campaigner which can only benefit us. Jamie has played the last four seasons at Forfar, making over 100 appearances for them but prior that had eight solid seasons at Airdrie and made almost 200 appearances from them. You can't put a price on experience like that. Granted he will probably start as Michael's deputy but he's a great option to fall back on should we have need to call on his services.

I'm also pleased to agree terms with Steven Gerrard to bring one of his promising youngsters here in Ryan (Muir). Ryan's a very technically adept player with some great creative attributes which can only enhance us as we plan for the season. I hope he enjoys his time here. Next up, we've signed a left winger in Louis Appéré as we identified that was another position we needed some decent cover as we look to play an even more attractive style of play this season. Dundee United's loss can easily become our gain if Louis really shines.

Finally I'm happy this morning to get the Scott Glover loan move over the line. I'm very happy that Oran Kearney has loaned him to us for the season, and we had to fight off some other interested parties to secure this one. Scott's a young centre half in need of a change in scenery and like fellow loanee Ryan, has some excellent attributes about him which we're hoping will be of use in the new season.

Four newcomers, and who's to say I've not finished my player shopping yet. There might be one or two more to come but then again there might not be. You're going to have to wait and see - if we find someone who enhance the squad then we will try to sign him otherwise we will stick with what we have."

"I'm happy today to unveil Aaron as our latest summer capture.

He was a player that looked pretty decent when he played against us in 2018-19, and can play in a couple of positions on the left hand side. He certainly adds to our options on that flank and is an excellent acquisition for us. We have signed him on an initial six month loan which could be extended if we feel suited to do so. His Kilmarnock contract expires at the end of this season so who knows what might happen if he impresses.

He's an exciting young player who can go on to great things, all he needs is a chance to showcase his abilities. We think we have a bit of a hidden gem here."

"Well that's as tough as we could have wanted it to be, against a team that can step it up and send us tumbling out.

We did of course have some great games with Airdrie last season; winning all four encounters but that's in the past now. We have to be at our best to keep that run going. They have some good players in their ranks including the industrious Dean Cairns, and a couple of exciting young wingers in the shape of Declan Drysdale and Kenny Bannan. They will make it hard for us, that second round place is going to have to be earned.

This will not be a formality."

It is very hard to look beyond both Hamilton and Dundee this season in the Scottish Championship, we really believe that both teams will be making an instant return back to the Premiership come May next year. They certainly have the quality to do so., Dundee's local rivals Dundee United might push them close but not far enough.

At the other end of the spectrum, Edinburgh City are 1-5 to be relegated. Granted they have overachieved with an unexpected League One triumph last season, they will find this level a bridge too far. They're the only semi-professional side in the division and that's going to count against them hugely. If they survive, it will be an absolute miracle."

"Well for 20 minutes I thought we were going to cause a massive surprise as we scored two goals and silenced their support. But they kinda turned the screw after that. It's certainly shown us what we are going to be up against this season, it will be a tough and hard campaign. People will think we got torn to pieces but we are only a semi-professional outfit competing against sides who are all full time pros. It's not the end of the world but we will regroup and go again. That's about it."

"What a draw!

We've got ourselves a local derby against the Jambos and I really can't wait for it. Sure we would have loved to host them here and probably sell out Ainslie Park but going to Gorgie isn't too bad. It's a real money spinner for us and will help the club's financial status no end.

A lot of people will write us off already but we will go there with no fear at all. We will give it our best shot."