SELKIRK new manager Ian Fergus is confident he can save the Souters from Lowland League relegation.

The 48-year-old also wants to start creating a buzz around Yarrow Park with a view of bringing back the glory days of the late 1970s.

Fergus, who is regarded as one of the best youth coaches in Scotland, agreed terms to replace Garry O’Connor last Tuesday evening.

He told the Border Telegraph: “Selkirk was one of the most successful teams from the Borders many years ago.

“They always had a reputation as a big team and we have an opportunity to get that back again.

“I liked the committee and the players when I met them last week and felt this was a great opportunity to do something.

“This isn’t a club that should be languishing at the bottom of the league – from what is already here and what we can bring in, Selkirk can be a team that is challenging at the other end.”

Fergus, who has been coaching Hibs Under 17s, previously worked at youth academies with Hamilton, Hearts and Dunfermline.

As well as holding a UEFA A Licence, he has delivered coaching clinics in countries such as USA, Canada, Thailand, Norway, Belgium, Holland and Denmark.

He has also coached at several English Premiership academies during his distinguished career in youth football.

Following Saturday’s draw at Stirling University, he remains upbeat about the short and mid-term future he has in the senior game.

Ian continued: “It’s not all doom and gloom.

“There are some good players at this club and now that we have shaken off the defeatist attitude they will show what they can do.

“I know I will have to bring in a few players – preferably experienced players who can help our younger boys – and that will be my aim over the next week or two.

“We will get better with each game we play from now on – the training will be tough but it will be good, and we will start sending out a message to the teams who are above us that we are far from being a pushover.”

Over the next three weeks Selkirk will face three of the teams who are above them – Vale of Leithen, Hawick Royal Albert and Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Fergus added: “In my eyes we have three cup finals coming up.

“These are massively important games as they are all games we are capable of winning.”