Berwick Rangers boss Kevin Haynes delivers optimistic preseason verdict ahead of Lochee United opener

Berwick Rangers boss Kevin Haynes has delivered his verdict on the Borderers’ preseason campaign ahead of their league opener against Lochee United this weekend.

A promising summer has seen Rangers go unbeaten across their five friendly outings, scoring 13 goals in the process and conceding just two. They wrapped up their preparations for the coming term with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle Benfield at Shielfield Park on Saturday afternoon.

And while Haynes has emphasised that results matter for little at this time of year, the Berwick boss also believes that his squad have shown plenty of encouraging signs in recent weeks. He said: “Results are not the main priority at the minute. It’s more about working on the structure of the team and certain aspects - how we defend and how we attack. It’s been relatively pleasing.

“The real positive is the 13 goals in five games. It’s a positive sign that we have the ability to score goals. There's only one game that we've failed to score in over the course of the five. So, you know, that's extremely positive. And the other side of the pitch, conceding two goals in the five games is also good. If it had been the first five games of the season, you'd take those stats all day long. And that's something for us to build on.”

On the club’s summer transfer activity, and how his new recruits have settled into life at Shielfield Park, he added: “The new lads have been fine. There's not been a huge amount really. You know, we kept 16 from last year's squad and added... I think we're at four. If we compare that to the season before, it was 14 in and 14 out. So we wanted to have a bit of continuity.

“We wanted to work with the squad that we put in place last season, and I feel that we can get a wee bit more out of the squad with the additions that have come in. And the guys who have all came in, they've hit the ground running and they're all doing well at this point in time.”