ACHARA SEEKING SILVER LINING

Glasgow Rocks captain Kieron Achara admits it’s trophies or bust after agreeing a fresh two-year contract at the Emirates Arena.

With the club’s longest-serving player Jonny Bunyan also extending his stint, and Gareth Murray already on the books for next term, it’s kept the club’s Scottish core intact even as the search for a new head coach continues to replace the departed Sterling Davis continues.

But although Achara insists he wanted to get negotiations out of the way before GB’s EuroBasket campaign this summer, he’s now called on Rocks chiefs to add the extra pieces required to bring a 15-year wait for silverware to an end.

“The Rocks are right up there with the best programmes in the league but we want success,” the 33-year-old said. “We want to bring a trophy to Glasgow. If I’m going to be playing, I want to be competing and winning championships and I want to make sure that happens in the next two years.

“I was comparing us to Arsenal, where we’ve had the same old, same old, every year and we find ways to make excises. But I feel we’re right there, we’re getting to finals. That’s frustrating but we have to get over that hump.”

The Rocks are hoping to have a new man in charge by next month with the club confirming applications have arrived from across the world.

And Achara – who took the EuroBasket trophy back to his hometown of Stirling on Thursday (above) – revealed new owner Duncan Smillie has provided assurances  that there will be enough funds to push for a title.

“He’s said he wants to make the right moves to win and it’s been very positive,” he added.

It has been confirmed Scotland will play Ireland and Wales at Edinburgh’s Oriam in a three-team tournament from June 9-11.

Photos: Mansoor Ahmed/BB