VERSATILE Steven McKeown is aiming to make Irvine Meadow a major force in the game after signing up from local rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside.

The utility player is relishing the challenges ahead at Irvine Meadow with new manager Ross Wilson.

McKeown won the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup with Kilbirnie Ladeside last season after they shocked Auchinleck Talbot in the final at Meadow Park and before that had enjoyed West of Scotland Cup and Evening Times Cup success with Arthurlie.

He told Sportscene: "I knew Ross from living in Barrhead and he asked me if I wanted to sign. The fitness has been good in the first few training sessions. Hopefully we can get promoted, I am pretty confident we can finish in the top four and get into the top league. We will use the Ardagh Cup to help make sure the team gels."

Con Boyle joins from East Kilbride Thistle, where he played alongside fellow new signing Aaron Connolly and is excited by the challenge.

He said: "I achieved promotion at East Kilbride last season also also previously with Shettleston, and I want do to that at Meadow this season. There are more teams going up and I feel that can be achieved."

The winger added: "I have been really impressed with Ross Wilson's training drills and we are all working hard."

Left-back Alan Cairns was snapped up from Super First Division side Renfrew last season.

He said: "I wasn't getting a game at Renfrew so I ended up going on loan to Kello last season when Ross Wilson was manager but I only played two games because of the weather. Everyone knows Meadow as a big club who win big things. I still have a lot to learn but want to win as many things as possible and take a step forward."

Meanwhile Meadow this week made three more additions to the squad, signing former Ayr United, Kilmarnock and Beith striker Dan McKay, former Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Kilwinning Rangers defender Darren Miller and ex-East Kilbride and Kello Rovers goalie Craig Gordon.

Wilson said: "Dan has a lot of experience is a quality striker. Darren is a good stopper and with a lot of experience and a really good attitude. Craig has featured in the Lowland League with East Kilbride and at Kello Rovers. We also have another good goalie Shaun Newman at the club and both will have a chance to go for the gloves."

Meadow host Gartcairn, managed by their former boss Davie Greig in a friendly tonight (Wednesday), while Fauldhouse are the visitors to Meadow Park on Saturday.