Mckeown moves to rebuild squad
New Shotts boss goes on signing spree
John Mckeown has made a whirlwind start to his role as Shotts manager, moving swiftly to bolster the squad ahead of the new season.
The former Wishaw and Cumnock manager was appointed in the closing days of last season but out of courtesy suggested interim boss Andy Scott remain in the dug-out for the last two games.
That allowed Mckeown to start his off-field planning, figuring out which players would be leaving Hannah Park and who his main targets might be.
“I’m surprised we’ve been able to get so many in so quickly,” he said. “It’s a big turnaround and we have to hope things gel.
“A lot of the boys have worked together at various clubs and I worked with a couple at Wishaw and Cambuslang, so I hope they will hit the ground running.”
Three of the new recruits have had some senior experience – central midfielder Adam Hunter was on the youth books at Rangers and played for Ayr United and Cumnock, winger Scott Mckean was with West Region League One side East Kilbride Thistle last season, and left-back Jordan Halsman counts Motherwell and Elgin City amongst his former clubs.
Midfielder/defender Craig Crawford, winger Michael Collinder and defender Gerry Watt have made the switch from Wishaw, while goalkeeper Derek Barnes comes in from Cambuslang Rangers.
Seven players have re-signed – Johnny Murdoch, Danny Burns, Ally Martin, Dean Sutherland, Stevie Aitken, Ryan Kennedy, and Andy Cross.
Leaving the club are Ryan Sullivan, Scott Crone, Stephen Maguire, Scott Mchaffie, Glen Eadie and Ross Foley.