VALE manager Chris Anderson will kick off his first Lowland League campaign in the dugout tomorrow.

And the former Dunfermline striker from Peebles admits it will be one of his most nervous days in football.

The 29-year-old has assembled a balanced squad of experience and youth over the summer.

Following mixed fortunes over pre-season they entertain Dalbeattie Star during the opening weekend of the 2016/17 Lowland League.

Anderson told us: "It is hugely important that we get off to a good start.

"We have everyone back from their holidays and everyone is injury free so we have no excuses.

"I like the squad that we now have and I think we are capable of competing with any team in the league.

"It will be a nervous 90 minutes for me, I'd probably rather be playing, but you want nerves from football - I'm looking forward to the game, as if everyone at the Vale."

Anderson will have taken some comfort from the way his team rallied against a Celtic XI on Sunday.

Substitutes Brendan Edwards, Sean Stewart, Matt Underhill and Tommy Patterson all impressed during the second half.

And his assistant manager, Keith McLeod, looks to back to his best in leading the line.

Chris added: "We want competition for places and that's what we have with the size of squad we have brought together.

"We have one or two to come back into the squad as well who were missing on Sunday which gives me a selection dilemma - you need a good sized squad for the Lowland League."

Tomorrow's clash with Star is followed by a trip next Saturday to face one of the pre-season favourites for the title, East Stirlingshire.

And on Wednesday, August 10 Anderson will face one of his previous clubs, Spartans, at Victoria Park.

Peebles Rovers also kick off their campaign tomorrow when they travel to Home Park to face Coldstream in the Qualifying Cup Pool A.

Ger Rossi's team play their first home tie in the group on Wednesday when they welcome Ormiston to Whitestone Park.

Rossi said: "We've had a good pre-season and the boys are looking fit.

"Coldstream will be a difficult start but it will be good to get a few Qualifying Cup matches under our belt before the league starts."

Peebles' match at Coldstream kicks off tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Vale of Leithen's Lowland League match with Dalbeattie Star kicks off at 3pm.