Mackay has high hopes for amateur star
New signing Kevin Fell can make the leap from the Strathclyde Amateur League to Ladbrokes League 2 according to Stirling Albion boss Dave Mackay
The 19-year-old, who currently plays for Glasgow-based UB United, this week put pen to paper on a contract for 2018/19.
Fell is closing in on 30 goals for UB this season and will be given his opportunity at Forthbank as the Binos look to build on a thirdplace finish last term.
Mackay said: “There are some good players in the Juniors and amateurs and we heard good reports about Kevin. Thankfully I was able to get to see him a couple of times myself and there is a lot of quality there – he’s still a bit raw as you might expect but he’s one that I’ve got high hopes for.
“He will score goals but he is not just an out-and-out striker.
“He likes to drop deep and get on the ball and he’s technically good. He can spot a pass and drifts wide at times so it looks as if he could play in a few positions up top.
“I know a couple of full-time clubs were potentially interested in him and he certainly stood out.
“He’s still only 19 years old and it’s a big opportunity for him and hopefully he will take his chance.
“We got in early and spoke to him about the club and made him an offer. I’ve seen the potential he has and it might not be an immediate impact, it might take a bit of time, but I believe he can be a real asset for us.
“One of the reasons I let the likes of Ross Kavanagh move on is that I think Kevin has the potential to be as good, if not better, than Kav.
“I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of the amateur games I saw. There are some decent players on show. It’s not always easy to judge at that level because not everyone has the same fitness but you can always spot a player and he stood out a mile.”
Fell is Albion’s third summer signing after the capture of Elgin City left-back Jordan Allan and the arrival of midfielder Danny Jardine on a permanent deal following a loan stint from St Johnstone.