Shaun McRae pleased with Salford City Reds season

McRae became Salford City Reds coach in June 2007

Salford City Reds coach Shaun McRae is pleased with the season at The Willows despite his side's 12th-place finish.

The former St Helens and Hull FC coach said the financial restrictions placed on the club have made it a success.

"It is very well documented that we spent a considerable amount of less money on our players," said McRae.

"Under the circumstances everybody has to be congratulated for where we finished on the ladder," he told BBC Radio Manchester's Rugby League Extra.

"We've sort of reflected on things and we've had a good season, but it's probably a little disappointing in some respects that we didn't win more games."

The Australian took over from Karl Harrison at the club in 2007 and, despite the season only just finishing, McRae has already begun planning for next season, having signed eight new players.

The July signing of Luke Patten from Canterbury Bulldogs has been followed by Chris Nero (Bradford), Stephen Wild (Huddersfield), Vinnie Anderson (Warrington), Wigan pair Phil Bailey and Iafeta Palea'asina and two from Wakefield, Tevita Leo-Latu and Sean Gleeson.

"We've been doing some debriefing with players doing medical assessments and just making sure that their plans are underway for the start of preseason," said McRae.

"My criticism sometimes is that there are great expectations at Salford. Sometimes those expectations are far too high and people have to be far more realistic."