NEW recruit Kyle Reid believes Johnstone Burgh are heading in the right direction after he joined the club as their new development squad manager.

Reid has arrived at Keanie Park alongside assistants Ross Stewart and Michael Donnell and will take charge of the club’s Under-20 team in the Lowland Development League next season.

The trio joined from local team Glenvale, where they had attracted praise for their stint in charge of the 2004 age group.

A formal link has been created between the two clubs that will see a player pathway created to Burgh’s senior team.

Reid is keen to get started in his new role – and has told Gazette Sport how he is eager to work with first team manager Jamie McKim.

“We’re delighted to come into the club,” said Reid. “It’s an opportunity we probably didn’t think would come this early but, with the new league format, it’s definitely a step up from where we were.

“We’re especially looking forward to working with Jamie and having that direct link with the first team.”

Reid said he has been impressed by the progress made by Burgh in recent times.

“They are a club that, 18 months ago, were nowhere near the position they are in just now,” he added.

“I’ve been keeping a close eye on them for a while from the outside but being there now and being involved, you can see the work everyone is putting in, from the committee to Jamie and the volunteers.

“They are a club that are going places again.”

Reid is full of praise for the work done by McKim since he moved into the Keanie Park hotseat.

He said: “It’s scary the amount of time and effort that Jamie puts into it. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.

“That’s what is getting the rewards on the park, so it’s been well worth it.”

Glenvale and Burgh have had close ties in the past but the formal affiliation that was announced at the end of last month aims to strengthen that bond significantly.

Several first team players and management staff at Burgh started off at Glenvale – and Reid hopes he can have a positive impact on the promising youngsters he is looking to bring in over the coming months.

He said: “If we can send two players to Jamie’s team that start regularly next season, that will outweigh winning a cup or a league.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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