Manager Paul Cook spoke to sligorovers.com after the 7-0 win over Coolaney last Saturday about the game, possible new signings and his goals for the upcoming season.

Cook declared himself pleased with the workout as Rovers had their first outing of the year in the attempt to boost fitness.

“We are pleased with it. It was a useful exercise in itself to break us back into what we are doing. We trained hard; we wanted to come here today and play a local team and give some of our fans the chance to see us so we are really pleased. We know that, without being disrespectful, it is not the type of opposition you’re looking for but we are happy with the start and we are up and running. We’re looking forward to the start of the season.”

The two new signings that started the first half were prominent and Cook pointed to Sean Doherty’s goal as a sign of the ability the player possesses. But he is worried by the lack of depth in the squad.

“We do need a couple of additions to what we have but fingers crossed. Signings are very hard to get at this stage of the season. We don’t want to kid fans on that we’re going to bring in all kinds of players. But what we are trying to do is make a better football club for us all. At the minute with the nucleus of the team we have got we are pleased. But it needs to be of up to 18, 19 or 20 players rather than 14, 15 or 16.”

He admitted he has been forced to rebuild the squad and that a repeat of last season’s finish would be an achievement in the current climate of big spending in the league.

“We have had to rebuild. It is very hard in the Irish Premier League at the minute. If someone offered me sixth in the league now I would take it for sure. Myself and Gerry want to build a solid football club. We’ve had many comings and goings with players and now we would like players who play for us for two, three, four, or five seasons.”

While Cook declared he would be happy with sixth he spoke with exuberance about his new captain Gavin Peers and Ireland under 21 international Seamus Coleman and that players with such quality can lead Rovers to better things.

“I think in Gavin Peers and Seamus Coleman and lads of that calibre that if you are building a football team with those lads then you are going to have a good team”.

Meanwhile the club’s futsal team were in action in a tournament in Letterkenny. They went down 4-1 to Derry City and drew 3-3 with Monaghan United.