KEVIN THOMSON has told his title-winning stars that they "need to be at it" between now and the end of the season as he looks ahead to League One football.
The Kelty Hearts boss watched his side draw their first match since being crowned fourth-tier champions at Edinburgh City last Friday evening, a result which extends their unbeaten run to nine matches.
A maximum return from their final four outings would see them finish a memorable first campaign as an SPFL club with 85 points, and they will look to remain undefeated at New Central Park when Stirling Albion come calling this weekend.
Thomson, who made five changes to his starting line-up for the match at Ainslie Park, will rotate his squad for their remaining matches as his thoughts turn already to challenges ahead.
Despite that, he wants his players to end this season in style and says the club will need to be "really clever" when it comes to summer recruitment ahead of making the step up.
When asked if Kelty's remaining games will be a platform for his players to impress ahead of next season, Thomson told Press Sport after the game in the capital: "We said that beforehand.
"I said, don't look too much into the team; we'll make changes, everybody will play their part, everybody will get an opportunity, and it's up to them to take it.
"It's not the gauntlet; they've been terrific for us. But, at the same time, I want them to have an edge.
"Next year's going to be even tougher for us. The standard's higher, the level of competition is higher, and trying to find that player is more difficult because we're going to be down near the bottom of the league when it comes to budget. We're going to need to be really clever in recruiting.
"But, listen, we're delighted to be where we are. We're delighted to look forward to playing against different teams next year, and we're delighted to be champions.
"There's no getting away from that but I wouldn't be me if I didn't want to win every game."
When it was put to him that Kelty's focus should be on a good end to the season with a view to next year, Thomson replied: "We need to build momentum.
"We're the champions with five games to go; there should be an arrogance, a swagger, but that has to be backed up by doing the basics and being switched on.
"If you're one of those players that cannot produce your sevens, eights and nines out of 10 every week, and you think you're a bit blasé, then you need to be at it.
"If there's players that can have swagger, and still do all the necessary things to play in our team, then that's fine. But if you're one of those ones that need to be really focused and switched on to do your job for the team, then you need to have a big look in the mirror to make sure that you want to be part of our plans next year.
"We put it to them; if they want to part of the team next year, contract or no contract, if you want to be part of the group moving forward, you need to be at it for these next five games.
"I'll never apologise for not taking the foot off the gas."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here