Rutherglen Glencairn boss Willie Harvey revealed he made it second time lucky in his attempts to bring experienced midfielder Martin McBride to the club.
The 36-year-old former Queen’s Park and East Kilbride star joined Glens last week and could make his debut against Drumchapel United this weekend, after he missed Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Gartcairn on the opening day of their West of Scotland League First Division campaign.
And Harvey is delighted to get the ex-Kilbirnie Ladeside man among his youthful squad after a failed attempt last season.
He said: “We tried to sign Martin last year and it didn’t work out because of work commitments and things like that, so this year we spoke to him again and he’s decided to come on board.
“He’s experienced, he’s a good holding midfielder, a good talker, and he gives us that bit of experience that we need, because we feel we’re still a bit young.”
Captain Tam Miller missed Saturday’s game as he continues rehab from a groin strain. Though Saturday’s clash might be too soon, Harvey hopes he will train on Wednesday. Harry Mitchell is also out with a hamstring injury.
Drumchapel United beat Glencairn 2-0 in last season’s Strathclyde Demolition Cup semi-finals, and Harvey wants a better performance this time round.
He added: “We felt in the first half we let ourselves down really badly and performed a lot better in the second 45.
“I expect another tough game, but we’ll be ready for it, we’ll be prepared for it. We want to get three points on the board.”
Meanwhile, Harvey was hoping his side avoid the ‘big guns’ in the Scottish Cup preliminary round draw, which took place yesterday as the Reformer went to press.
It’s a huge moment for the club as they make their bow in the competition and Harvey said: “It’s massive. A lot of really hard work went into this so we could get our licence and get playing in it.
“It lifts the stature of the club, shows us as a senior club and that we’re progressing in the right direction. Financially it’s helpful as well.
“Hopefully we can get through a round or two and be seen, that it attracts some people from Rutherglen to come and watch us.
“It’s exciting, and if we get people in hopefully they come back to watch another couple of games and we get them hooked.”
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