STUART McINNES knows he has big things to shout about after guiding the Wee Sauchie to three months without defeat.

Crucially, however, he has seen enough in football to also know it is his job to ensure his young squad keep their feet firmly on the ground.

The Reds – launched in the summer as a community club and feeder team for their East of Scotland big brother – have impressed in their maiden Premier League South campaign, picking up wins against much more established sides such as Syngenta and Rosyth.

It's all the more impressive when you consider it's not only McInnes' first taste of management at this level, but that much of his team is made up of teenagers poached from amateur football.

"We always had faith," McInnes told Advertiser Sport. "And you need to remember the teams we were playing were established and had been together."

"It was always the case of us having to find that right formula.

"A mistake is only a mistake if it happens twice and I say that to the guys who have been learning during all of this.

"They are not stupid and still only young. We've even got a player still at school. They know what they are up against."

One man who McInnes is sure has made a difference to his side's fortunes is Fraser Duncan, who, since returning in October to coach the main side, has instilled much-needed stability throughout both the community and senior clubs.

"Fraser Duncan has been a huge help when it comes to bouncing ideas off him and helping us out with players and vice versa," McInnes continued.

"We are now looking like a whole set-up and it now looks like we've got two squads. We are a lot more settled and a lot more structured.

"I'm not mocking anyone from before but standards have been set and the bar has been raised.

"He sets standards and you find out who wants to be there and who wants to help out the team and it is similar to what we are doing.

"We have a lot of guys who have come from youth football and the amateurs. It is such a competitive environment in terms of the commitment and the tempo of the games.

"We do take it week-by-week and I am not too low if we don't win and, equally, don't get too ahead of ourselves when we do."

The Wee Sauchie's form has been enough for the vultures to start circling above Beechwood Park in search of McInnes' signature. A host of star players, including talisman Danny Kleinmann, have also attracted interest due to their form.

But, it was the idea of a project which enticed the former player to return to Beechwood Park in the first place and it's that project which he is determined to see through – no matter the offer.

His side, who sit fifth in the table, return to action this weekend as they visit Bo'ness Juniors Community FC and McInnes knows it is up to him to ensure his squad does not get ahead of themselves despite their recent success.

He said: "We are doing well, on a good run, and we are established but I still don't want to get ahead of things.

"The last four months of the season could go downhill and we know that.

"Young guys can get carried away, but it is my job to try and keep them grounded.

"I want to build something here at Sauchie and know what is required to do that. We have the guys who have now stepped up."