JOHNSTONE Burgh boss Jamie McKim reckons the Keanie Park faithful should enjoy watching new signing Ross McFarlane while they can...because it’s only a matter of time before he moves on to bigger things.

Talented striker McFarlane spent the second half of last season on loan at Burgh from Queens Park and made a good impression.

So much so, in fact, that McKim moved quickly to hand him a contract at Keanie Park for next season after he left the Spiders.

McKim believes that, despite his tender age, 18-year-old McFarlane has all the physical attributes needed to play a key role for the Johnstone club.

And, while he expects the player to make a return to the Senior game at some point, he is excited to have him on board for now.

McKim told Gazette Sport: “Ross is only 18 years old but has the physique of a man. He’s an unbelievable talent and is somebody we’re very fortunate to get.

“He had loads of options but he came in last year, liked the way we worked and fitted into the squad well.

“I don’t think we’ll keep him forever because I think he’ll go back Senior again but the fact we’ve got him here just now and he thinks it’s a good place to be means we’re doing something right.”

Most of the players who fired Burgh to the League Two title last season have signed up again as the club looks forward to a fresh challenge in the new West of Scotland Football League.

There was Premier League interest in a number of the club’s key men, including Ricky McArthur, who fired in 25 goals last season.

McKim is delighted to retain McArthur’s services and has praised the striker’s attitude.

He said: “I think Ricky is 32 now and for me, the older he gets, the better he gets.

“When he came in last season, he worked so hard to get his body into the best physical shape I’ve seen it.

“I’ve seen him play for years for Alba Thistle and, when we got him last summer, he was in decent nick but, by the time we got to January, he was flying and was one of the fittest guys in the team.

“He scores goal, gets assists and can hold the ball up and make a massive difference to the team.

“He had Premier League interest and it’s not easy for guys to knock that back.”

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