Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rovers boss targets axed top flight stars
Boss Brian Reid hopes to rebuild the Albion Rovers squad with young talent from Motherwell and Hamilton Accies following the Scottish football shutdown.
The Cliftonhill gaffer admits the strange circumstance that face Scottish football right now amid the Covid-19 crisis could benefit lower league sides like Rovers.
Reid revealed that the Coatbridge club plan to keep some of their transfer pot stored away to scoop up players who have been released by Lanarkshire
Premiership sides.
He told the Advertiser: “It’s no slight on the boys or the manager last season, but when you look at last season you would say we want to finish higher than ninth in League Two.
“We want to give players the platform to be able to play at a higher level, and I’m an ambitious manager so also want to manage at a high level.
“There will be a lot of players being released by clubs, so we want to keep some money back and bring players in.
“In our catchment area you have the likes of Motherwell and Hamilton Accies who have good players in their teams. These guys might be left looking for a club.
“They might be looking to stay fulltime but that doesn’t always happen, especially when clubs are looking to save money. It’s a horrible position to be in; I’ve been a player.
“Not in a position like this under these circumstances; but it’s tough when you’re looking for a deal.
“They might think they are going to get a club just now but if they don’t we can give them an opportunity.
“They can come here and get that chance to step up again to a higher level.”
He also noted that he wants to add a mix of experience with offers on the table.
“We are going to be looking to add some more mature players,” continued Reid.
“I’m a manager who likes to give young players a chance but we can’t run with a squad of 18 and 19-year-olds.
“We are looking to bring in some experience players that can help the young guys develop,” he said.
“We have offers out for players and are waiting.”
Rovers have also announced that club captain Bryan Wharton and defender Ross Clarke have left Cliftonhill after turning down new deals. Scott Roberts, Euan East and Daniel Scally have been