Ambitious Tarxien Rainbows are aiming to go a step higher this season in their efforts to maintain the improvement shown over the past two seasons.

This was outlined by the president of the club Anthony Cassar, and coach Noel Coleiro, yesterday morning, during a media conference on the occasion of the presentation of their new signings.

Cassar made it clear that it was the club’s main intention to strengthen the squad in the hope of becoming more competitive, thus also becoming possible to maintain the improvement seen over the past two years.

He said that after a difficult first year in the Premier League where they saved their place among the elite following a decider, the club finished a creditable fifth in its second year. “Last year we also finished fifth but we were more than satisfied to have started the Championship Pool in second place, just behind eventual champions Valletta. Now we are aiming to go a step higher and that, to me, means a fourth placing and a possible berth in European football, although we will then keep our fingers crossed about future possibilities. But our first target is the fourth place,” he insisted. To chants from some fans who even wanted a title win, Cassar said: “We have to take everything step by step. We have to keep our feet to the ground to be successful,” he added.

Cassar also said it was also a big achievement for the club last year to have had its coach Noel Coleiro contesting the MFA’s Best Coach award. He received a nomination and went close to winning the award.

Cassar went on to explain that they believed the club has a lot of potential. “We have built a squad of 22 players and signed eight new players – three foreigners and five locals. We believe that we have enough strength in depth to be more competitive than in past seasons,” he claimed.

Cassar also said that the club was holding talks with the MFA over investments yet to be made at the impressive complex. “We are looking towards the future with great optimism. The MFA is helping us and we are grateful. We need a gym which is not a small project, furnishing the still empty administrative building and the construction of a multi-purpose hall as we will be trying to generate more funds for the club.

“Our club is not just the Premier League side. We have other sectors, including the nursery which, nowadays, takes care of 300 boys and girls,” he added.

Cassar said he felt confident that the club will again go through a successful season. He said: “We are a small club but with a big heart. We all believe in our ability to move ahead successfully.”

Coach Noel Coleiro said he was very happy at the club and had no intention of ever leaving the Rainbows. “I must thank the president and the committee for showing confidence in my abilities once again. If ever I had to leave this club, then that would be because of extraordinary circumstances,” he insisted.

Coleiro said the squad now includes six Brazilian players. “We know that we can use only four foreigners at any time during a match. But having two extra is an added advantage for me. I firmly believe we have made our homework well even with the acquisition of the new local players. We have a relatively young team – only three players are over 30 years,” he said.

The coach insisted that their primary aim will be that of finishing among the Top Six. “After that we will move step by step. If we reach our target (finishing fourth) then we try to go a step forward, but we have to keep our feet to the ground. With the help of our supporters, I think we can have a successful season which will give us a lot of satisfaction,” he claimed.

Team manager John Vella then announced the names of the eight new signings who are Adrian Carabott, Caio Garcia Suguino, Carl Sammut, Roberto Saraiva Fagundes, Karl Pulo, Rodrigo Andreis Galvao, Stefan Giglio and Nicky Vella.

He also announced that they had reached an agreement with Hibernians over the permanent transfer of goalkeeper David Cassar. The latter has now signed a five-year deal with the club.