Jamie McKim has bolstered his Johnstone Burgh defence with two new additions that are set to bring some much-needed experience to his young squad.
The Burgh gaffer got his summer rebuilding job underway late last month with six new faces arriving through the door at Keanie Park, including five Renfrew U21 youngsters.
McKim has often spoke of the importance of finding the right balance between youth and experience and he’s been working away behind the scenes over the last week or so to tie up deals for Alba Thistle defensive duo Robbie McCutcheon and David Orr.
READ MORE: McKim gets rebuilding job at Burgh underway
“We’ve managed to get another two boys signed up in Robbie and David,” McKim told Gazette Sport. “They are both defenders and both join from Alba Thistle in the Scottish Amateur Football League.
“Robbie is 32 and brings all of that experience with him. He’s got a mature head and is a really good, strong defender.
“I’ve got a good feeling about him in terms of presence in the dressing room as he was the captain at Alba who have been really successful for the last few years.
“I watched him a couple of weeks ago and he’s played in some really big games recently. Being the captain, he led his side really well so I’m hoping he’ll come in and be one of the senior figures in the changing room. He’ll bring a lot to us in that respect and I’m really looking forward to working with him.
“David is a bit younger at 28 but he can play either in defence or midfield. I would say left-back or centre-half are his strongest positions. His dad, Andy, previously played for the club so he knows what it’s all about here.
“As I’ve mentioned before, experience is what we really lacked last year and I’m delighted to have sorted that quite early on in the summer.
“I’m pleased to bring in guys who have seen it all before and who bring a lot of physicality with them.
“David is an older head in the dressing room which will be vital. These are the kind of guys we’ll be counting on when it gets tough in the winter months.”
With his latest additions, McKim has now signed up eight players since the end of the season with the gaffer revealing he would ideally like to bring in another five or six with three deals close to being over the line - including one the manager described as ‘massive’.
McKim continued: “I’m hoping to bring in another three or four players this week. We spoke to two boys are training last night and then we’ll be speaking to a player on Saturday who I’m desperate to get over the line.
“He would be a massive signing for us. I’ve been chasing him since I arrived at the club 18 months ago so it would be a really big coup to get him tied down.
READ MORE: Jamie McKim hoping tips from Celtic coaches will benefit Burgh
“I’m really hopeful that that’s one we can get that one over the line this weekend. Things have been progressing well and we’ve had positive talks so I’m just hoping that he signs on Saturday.
“We’ll be speaking to another couple of players at training next week too, so in total I’m looking to add around five or six more players in the next week or so and that will be us all set to go for the pre-season friendlies.”
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