CALVIN Shand has targeted taking Tranent Juniors into the Lowland League after being appointed as manager.

The former Musselburgh Athletic boss replaces Max Christie, who left the Foresters Park side for Bo’ness United earlier this month.

Shand, who led Musselburgh to the East Region Premier League title when they were still in the junior set-up last season, is looking to build on Tranent’s success in recent years, which included winning the East of Scotland Cup and the Fife & Lothians Cup in 2017.

He told Courier Sport: “I think all clubs at this level have the long-term or medium-term ambition to get to the Lowland League.

“It is a very difficult task once we get the initial goal of the top five this year to go into the new league (the East of Scotland Premier Division) next year.

“That is going to be so competitive and every game will be tough.

“You will need to be at your best every week but that is where you want to be as a player and manager.”

The former Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers player had only been out of the game for a matter of weeks after deciding his future lay away from Olive Bank.

Shand spoke about needing a break and a fresh challenge and was looking forward to getting things under way at Tranent.

He said: “I think I have had a break and this is the perfect challenge.

“I have been really impressed with everything the club has had to say and their ambition.

“I think it is an up and coming club and the progress they have made in recent years is phenomenal.

“The plans within the club are to keep going and to keep pushing forward.

“That was a big attraction and they have got a talented changing room.

“They have got good players and a good squad and if I can put my stamp on things we can achieve some good things.”

Shand, 35, was at Foresters Park on Saturday to see his new team, under the guidance of caretaker boss Brian Johnston, beat Crossgates Primrose 4-1.

The result lifted them above their Fife opposition into fourth place in Conference B of the East of Scotland League.

Shand said it was supposed to be a watching brief at the weekend but the new manager took to the bench for the second half.

The Bonnyrigg resident’s reign in charge officially kicks off next weekend when Dunipace visit.

Shand said: “We’ve got a free week, which, I think, is a good thing for us. It gives us time to work with the players.

“We are not going to flood them with information, they are doing reasonably well. I have got one or two ideas to get across and we will try to get a friendly on Saturday to work on things with the league game the following week.”