George is proud of his play- off heroes
Vics boss says it’s one of the best teams he’s worked with
George Grierson insists that continuity will be the key to success in the Championship.
The Whitletts Victoria boss has signed up ALL of his first team players who sealed them a play- off victory against Maryhill. And he claims it’s one of the best dressing rooms he has ever worked in as a boss. He said: “Obviously with us finishing late due to the play- offs it has taken a hit on us with getting deals done. “But despite that we have managed to keep all of our players. “The only one at the moment is the reserve goalkeeper Lewis Kerr, who is thinking over his offer. “Another Lewis Kerr, the midfielder, has put pen to paper on a two year deal, which we are delighted about. “Everyone else is on a one year deal.” Whitletts had 13 league games under Grierson in the Ayrshire League, as they went undefeated winning 10 and drawing three. Grierson said: “The boys did incredible for us, so we thought they all deserve a chance to show us what they can do in the higher league. “We might look at getting one or two players in to add a bit more quality. “We are really conscious of what we add to the squad. “I have been here before, I went up with Kiliwnning and we made a lot of changes which upset the dressing room. “The dressing room just now is the best I have ever worked with, so we want to keep that fighting spirit.” Whitletts have signed two young players so far. Former Partick Thistle youth product Paul Miller, 21, who is a leftsided player has signed, along with Darren McIntyre, 22, who can play centre- back and centre- midfield and has played with Kilwinning, Saltcoats and Muirkirk. Grierson said: “I have known these boys for a while and I know what they can do.” ● TROON have signed goalkeeper Scott Johnstone from Girvan, former Kilmarnock striker Dylan Pooler from Auchinleck, former Hibs and Partick full- back Matthew McInally from Cowdenbeath, former Morton attacking midfielder Dylan Stevenston from Dalry and they have put a bid in for Arthurlie striker Michael Daly. Boss Jimmy Kirkwood said: “Dylan Pooler was previously on loan with us from Auchinleck, and I was impressed. “He is a technically gifted player, and it took him a few months to get it going with us. “But just as he hit form with us, Talbot took him back, which is what they are there to do. “That probably knocked his confidence as he went from doing well at us to barely playing again. “We just need to build him up again, but he’s a great player. “Matthew McInally is friends with our defender David Syme, as they played together at Cowdenbeath. “So David put a word to him and he decided to join, he’s certainly energetic. “Dylan Stevenston is a very talented player, he just needs to make a team home and play where he wants to be - which is week in, week out in the Premiership. “He went to Dalry and did well as he scored plenty of important goals on the way to them winning the league.” No players have been sold from Troon to other teams. GLENAFTON have lost Jamie McKernon to Queen’s Park, along with Ryan Borris who has had to move to Renfrew due to work commitments. Findlay Frye has joined Glens again for another spell. Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Craig Burns has put pen to paper with the New Cumnock side. Manager Craig McEwan said: “I have worked with Findlay Frye before, and I know what he can do and feel that he can add what we need to the team. “Craig Burns is a former Aberdeen U21 goalkeeper and he will work closely with us.” CUMNOCK’s Del Esplin has joined Rutherglen and Adam Hunter moved to Shotts. The Townhead Parkers have added three new faces to the side. Centre- midfielder Kyle Faulds has joined from Auchinleck Talbot, along with Robert Patterson and Scott Dinwoodie from Girvan. Returning to the squad is former Ayr United youth product Sean McKenzie. Manager Peter Leonard said: “At the moment it’s about getting ready for the new season. “We will be using the Sectional Cup as part of our pre- season, as we only finished a month or so ago. “The boys have only had three weeks off, so these cup games will be helping the boys get in shape and get into the swing of things. “But the main focus is the Kilbirnie game on the opening game of the season, as we want to get a better start than we did last year. “We were disappointed to lose Esplin, but I am trying to replace quality with quality at the moment.”