Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MY NEW GUYS WILL CRACK IT
Brogan backs his‘Juniors’to succeed in senior game
Albion Rovers boss John Brogan believes the players he has recruited from Junior football are “risk-free” and is convinced they have what it takes to succeed in the senior game.
Brogan (right) has been forced to cast the transfer net far and wide after every Rovers player, except Gary Fisher, moved on after their relegation to League Two.
That, coupled with financial restraints, has left former Wishaw and Lanark gaffer Brogan prowling old territory to build a squad he feels is capable of competing in Scotland’s bottom league.
Pollok defender Brian Wharton and Blantyre Vics’ Alan Murdoch have been brought in alongside former Lanark United goalkeeper Gareth Hallford.
Paul McGeouch, who was on the verge of signing for Pollok according to Brogan, has also signed up at Cliftonhill.
But despite the apparent lack of players who have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt, Brogan is confident he is building a team who will “adapt to senior football with no problems”.
He told the Advertiser: “These guys are good footballers with a presence about them. I’ve seen them all play and worked with a few of them too and they are riskfree signings.
“There are lots of players in the Junior leagues who are good enough but just waiting on their opportunity.
“These guys have been given theirs and they’ll adapt with no problems.
“They’ve shown great attitude and application and I didn’t need to offer them a trial as I know what they can do.
“This is the market I have to shop in; I can’t go out and buy players.
“I’ve cherry-picked these boys who I believe can make the step up.”
Rovers have also signed former Alloa youngster John Cunningham after he impressed during a loan spell at Clydebank last season.
Brogan continued: “John scored 16 goals on loan at Clydebank last year so he knows how to finish a ball.
“That was one aspect of the team which was important but every area needed improving. “Last season’s team were paid well but failed. “I’ve got to replace those boys on a smaller financial scale. “Brian has played at this level before with Queen’s Park and he wanted to do so again. “He was playing in the top Junior league with Pollok but money wasn’t an issue with him. “Alan was being chased by Petershill but we managed to speak to him at the right time, and Gareth is an excellent goalkeeper. “All these guys will be important first team members and have a huge part to play in our season.”