It’s Rover and out for Nathan
Midfield ace heads to Fife
Former St Mirren midfielder Nathan Flanagan has been snapped up by Raith Rovers.
The 21-year-old winger was released by exBuddies boss Jack Ross at the end of last season before the gaffer headed for pastures new.
That left Flanagan on the hunt for a new club and he has penned a six-month deal with the Kirkcaldy side following a short trial. He will be bossed by Paisley boy Barry Smith at Stark’s Park as the League One outfit look to mastermind their return to the Championship following their relegation a year ago.
Flanagan started off his career in the Hearts youth system but found his opportunities limited and was snapped up by the Buddies to play in Allan McManus’ under-20 side.
He appeared to be on the cusp of breaking into the side’s first team following loan spells at Annan Athletic and East Fife.
And Ross recalled the winger from the Fifers in January with a view of him pushing into the titlewinning side.
Ross said at the time: “Nathan is at that stage where I believe he deserves his chance.
“He has matured a lot and he has been doing really well in training because he still trains with us on a full-time basis.”
A couple of spells on the subs bench failed to make much of an impression and the arrival of Myles Hippolyte in the same transfer window pushed him back down the pegging order, and he was sent back out on loan, this time to Elgin City.
He is joined at Raith Rovers by Kevin Nisbet as the former Partick Thistle, Ayr United and Dumbarton striker penned a year-long deal.
Both signings were finalised before last night’s closed- doors game at Stirling.
Manager Barry Smith said “Both players have impressed in training and games in pre-season. They are also young and hungry for success and are keen to make their mark at Raith Rovers, which falls in line with myself and Kevin Cuthbert’s approach to the coming season”