FORMER Dundee and Alloa midfielder Max Christie has set his sights on a place in the East Superleague after taking over as Tranent Juniors manager. 

Christie, who made more than 100 appearances for Alloa in four years with the club at the turn of the century, succeeds Kenny Rafferty and Darren Smith in the dugout at Foresters Park.

Ian Little had been in temporary charge but has now left the club.

And Christie, 46, wants to take the Belters to the Superleague, but admits that is unlikely to happen this season.

Tranent are currently just above the relegation places in the East Premier League, the tier below the Superleague.

He told Courier Sport: “I don’t think we can get promoted this season but there’s still a lot of games to go and we’ve got games to win to finish in the top half of the table.

"It is about building a squad and getting guys in place so that next season we can really challenge. 

“I have come here because I want to win the league and I want to take Tranent to the Superleague.”

After the postponement of their league meeting with Blackburn United on Saturday, Christie, who won the Superleague with Bonnyrigg Rose and has also managed Broxburn Athletic, took a training session at Foresters Park and was pleased with what he saw.

He said: “We’ve got a good base to work from – they have found it more difficult this season but there are some good players here.

"We’re a bit short on numbers, so we’re speaking to three or four guys with a view to getting something done before the weekend, but they are a good squad.”

Christie, who runs a financial advisory company when he’s not on the football field, was full of praise for Rafferty and Smith, who let Tranent to double cup success last season.

The new Tranent boss was in the Broxburn dugout as the Belters won a penalty shoot-out to lift the East of Scotland Cup, while the county side again triumphed when the two sides met in a Fife & Lothians Cup semi-final. 

“What they achieved last season should not be forgotten about – I think sometimes it is easy to forget what an achievement that was for the club, and for Kenny and Darren,” Christie said.

As to what the Foresters Park faithful can expect, he added: “We’ll be tough, physical and hard to beat.

"I’ve not got one definite style – I’d like us to pass it and be confident and brave on the ball but if it needs to go back to front then I don’t have a problem with that. 

“It is a great set-up and the guys in the committee are brilliant – it is a Superleague committee and it is my job to take the club to the Superleague.”

Christie will, weather permitting, take charge of Tranent for the first time as they attempt to play their Premier League clash with Blackburn United at Foresters Park on Saturday.