It’s survival of the fittest in Premiership: McLaughlin

The skipper, who has played in the top flight before with both Stute and Coleraine, knows in the long-term it will benefit the Waterside men.

“Pre-season has been tough, but every pre-season is,” he said.

“But the hard work has to be put in, especially this season as the expectation and performance levels are raised.

“Even the way you look after yourself in regards extra training and other things that is also raised.

“The bar has been raised now big time and everyone in the squad needs to meet those standards, not just on the pitch but also off it and everyone has to move with the process.”

The centre-back also concedes that there is a big step up from the two leagues but one which he feels Stute are more than capable of making.

“Anyone who has played in both leagues they’ll be able to tell you that there’s a massive difference in the fitness, strength and the quality of teams from the First Division and the Premier Division,” he added.

“So anyone who thinks it’s going to be handy and be as cushy as it was last year, then they are going to be in for a serious rude awakening when the season is up and running.

“But I know everyone in the squad is going to really step up to the plate, because the coaching staff will make sure they raise their game.

“It’s a massive big season for the club - we have worked so hard for so many years to get back where we are now, so it would be a terrible waste of time and energy if some of the lads think it’s just a matter of turning up for games, because it definitely isn’t.”

McLaughlin also remarked that it was good to see the likes of Michael McCrudden, Aaron Walsh and all the rest of the lads back at Drumahoe.

“We have all worked towards going to the Premiership and we have got their now so I don’t know why anyone would want to leave now.

“It was good to see all the boys at the first night of pre-season training because there were a lot of rumours about this player leaving and that player going.

“It was great to see the boys coming in through the door with a smile on their face and looking forward to the challenges ahead.”