KELTY HEARTS boss Thomas Courts has wasted little time in reshaping his squad after Super League survival was confirmed last week.

Stuart Cargill's early strike proved enough to see off the challenge of Dalkeith Thistle in the second leg of their play-off match to clinch a 5-0 aggregate victory and preparations for next season have already begun.

Courts has added former Pars and Ballingry goalkeeper Kyle Allison, forwards Craig O'Reilly and Stephen Manson from Newtongrange and Bonnyrigg and Kirkcaldy YM skipper Shaun Greig and told Press Sport he hopes to make "another four signings" over the coming week.

Leaving the club, however, are long-serving goalkeeper Alan Fleming, who has joined East Fife, and Bo'ness-bound midfielder Ross Philp, and Courts said, "I think that we can make in the region of eight signings, which is a lot, but you have to consider that we've already lost two players and it's likely we'll put two or three of the younger ones out on loan. Alan was still under contract but has been a great servant to the club, and a Scotland junior international. Although we are sad to see him go, we believe he needs that platform to play at senior level. Ross decided that the opportunity to join the current champions was too good to turn down at this time so we wish him well.

"Most of the guys we have are under contract or have been offered new terms. The majority have been here for two or three years so are Super League players but collectively we have to improve. I believe that we have brought in players of a high calibre and that we will have a strong squad next season. We do not want to be in the same position as last year and I believe that Kelty Hearts is a better club than that but the table doesn't lie. We can't stand still and that is a key driver for me over the coming season." He continued, "I think that the guys deserve credit because when I took the job on, we had five points and hadn't won in 20 competitive games. We ended with 26 points, got to the semi-final of the Fife and Lothians Cup and achieved our objective of staying in the Super League while showing signs that we are re-emerging as a team. It has been a steep learning curve for me and I've really enjoyed it. But next season will be the acid test."