Esplin makes a return to Glens
Rutherglen Glencairn manager Willie Harvey believes it was a major coup for the club to secure the services of Junior top flight star Del Esplin for next season.
The 27 year old had originally agreed to join the club from Cumnock if The Glens bagged promotion from the Super First last term.
And if they failed in their goal, he would opt for a move to Glenafton to play in the new west region Premiership.
However, after a house move to Cambuslang, Esplin had a change of heart and, with the cooperation of the Ayrshire side, engineered a move back to The Glens, where he had previously called home for a number of seasons.
“We’re over the moon,” manager Harvey said. “Del agreed to sign with us if we had gone up but that didn’t happen so he would leave for Glenafton with our best wishes to go and play Premiership football.
“But after moving house to Cambuslang, he sat down and thought about it all, like the travelling etc, and asked if he could sign back with us.
“Thankfully Glenafton understood his situation and must be applauded for their professionalism in the handling of it, we really appreciate it.”
The midfielder had close connections already with Glencairn after spending three seasons in the under 21 side, during which time he captained the team to a treble trophy haul in season 2012-13.
He stepped up to the first team squad where he immediately established himself as an automatic starter in the centre of midfield. He spent two years with the first team and made 59 starting appearances, scoring eight goals.
Esplin, who also rejected the approaches of five other Premiership sides and one from the East of Scotland senior league for his services, told the club’s website: “I’m really grateful to the people at Glenafton for being so understanding and co-operative.
“I need to be playing closer to home at the moment and Glencairn is where my under 21 and junior career started. So I obviously have an affection for the club. I’m just delighted the two clubs were able to sort it out very quickly and amicably.”
The playmaker is joined by Kris Gebbie who signed from Cambuslang Rangers earlier this week.
He is the third player to join from Glencairn’s local rivals after Harry Mitchell returned from a stint on loan and Dale Simeon also headed back across town.
Harvey commented: “To me it doesn’t matter where they come from, we try to get the best players we can.
“He is only 24 and is already very experienced. He can play at right-back, at centre half or in the centre of midfield and will bring a combative style and is a proven winner.”
On his way out at Glencairn, winger Jamie Hamilton has agreed to join Petershill while defender Anthony Dempsey and midfielders Del McNab and Sean McCall will not be remaining with the club for next season.