Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark isn’t panicking over a perceived lack of signings and says patience is a virtue.
But Clark expects movement over the next couple of days, and the experienced gaffer will be calling in some favours in the loan market to help the Cliftonhill club out as they prepare for life in the Lowland League.
Rovers started with just one signed player in Joe Bevan, but they have added winger Niyah Joseph and goalkeeper Ross Connelly – both ex-Hamilton Accies – while Barry Duncan, Adam Fernie and Michael Paton have extended their deals.
Clark admits it’s not likely to be easy to get players in even on loan – believing it will be teenagers he gets – but he knows how it works.
He said: “We’re fine. We’ve had a good week, training-wise, we’ve had roughly 20 players in the three training sessions that we’ve had, and it has been a good standard.
“There will be a wee bit of movement in the next few days, I would hope, with numbers and getting players over the line.
“But as I’ve said before, I’m not panicking with it. It takes time at this time of the year, players obviously have the ambition to be as high up the leagues as they can.
“Unfortunately they can’t all get what they want, and some of them are disappointed and have to drop down a level or two to get something that suits them, so I’m very aware that’s the way it works and I’m not going to blow the budget that I’ve got right away.
“I know exactly what I’m doing with it, so patience is a virtue, at the moment.
“I would rather go with quality rather than quantity, and there are some young players around the club who can certainly support us and back us up for numbers, if required.”
Clark is pleased to be linking back up with Joseph and Connelly again and said: “They’re both good players, I’ve worked with both before, and I’m looking forward to working with them again.
“I know exactly what they will bring to us and I’m as sure as you can be that they will do well for us.”
Clark knows what he needs to provide a competitive squad, but will ask other clubs for players.
He said: “Ideally you’re looking for 16 or 17
outfield players and two goalkeepers, and you hope you don’t get hit at any time with suspensions and injuries.
“There are a lot of games in the Lowland League, so we have to be ready for that and have a squad that can cope with that, and that’s all about getting the fitness levels right at the start as well.
“We’re doing fine, I think we’re on track for what we’re trying to achieve, and I think that’s the best way of putting it.
“Loans are definitely a possibility. I’ll be asking a few favours from guys I’ve known in the game for a long time, but that will be young players.
“When their players go out on loan, managers want them to develop as best they can, and for those that are maybe 21-22 and been there for a bit of time, the Lowland League isn’t enough of a challenge for them, they will be looking to play at a higher level.
“So the loan market will be massively important to us, but it will be young players, I have absolutely no doubt about that.
“But if you’re good enough you’re old enough, as far as I’m concerned, and I’ll be asking a few favours as we go along.”
• Meanwhile, Rovers have been drawn away to Newburgh in round one of the South Challenge Cup on Saturday, August 19.
If they progress, they will then face West Park United at home on Saturday, September 16 in round two.
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