David Irons thinks Gretna have not got the balance right

"He will bring players in during the transfer window if it's worthwhile," said the Gretna head coach after his side slipped five points adrift.

"He will bring out the cheque book, just as he has in previous seasons.

"The problem is that we have to make it worthwhile and stay in touch with one, two or possibly three teams."

Interview: Gretna manager David Irons

Irons hinted that he and director of football Mick Wadsworth had not got their team building right during the summer as they prepared for the club's first season in the Scottish Premier League.

"I think it was underestimated," he told BBC Sport about the quality of players necessary for the challenge in Scotland's top flight.

We are getting a third of our population coming to our games Gretna head coach David Irons

"From my point of view, I knew we needed some players with SPL experience who had been over the course before.

"But Mick wanted to give the younger players the opportunity and, to be fair to them, some have done really well for us.

"But, between the two of us, we have to get the balance right between Scottish experienced players who know this level and the young players that can we can develop and bring on and possibly even sell to bring money into Gretna."

Irons also pointed to injuries that had caused problems, especially in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at home to the side who were directly above them - Inverness Caley Thistle.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Gretna's relegation woes

"We had four defenders missing who would probably be our first-choice back four," he said.

Irons also hit back at those who ridiculed the attendance at Fir Park - their temporary home while the club find a sight for an SPL-compliant stadium.

The 1,020 who turned up made up the lowest attendance ever in the SPL.

"I try to deal with the criticism and put it in context," said the head coach.

"We are from a village and we are playing a team from the furthest north in the country. What did people expect?

"We are getting a third of our population coming to our games."