LINLITHGOW ROSE
Linlithgow Rose boss Brown Ferguson has hailed the signings of midfield duo Sean Dickson and Paul Willis - and has confirmed he’s targeting three more arrivals before the new season.
Dickson and Willis, both 28, join the East of Scotland Premier Division side after lengthy careers in the SPFL and gaffer Ferguson believes it shows the level of player he wants at the club.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “Sean is a very good player who, at 28, is at a good age and has plenty of experience in the game. To have had 300-plus appearances in the SPFL shows the quality he’s got.
“We were lacking in left-sided players and Sean fits that bill. He can play out on the left in midfield or at left-back as well as centre midfield so he’s a player who adds to the squad in a variety of roles. I think it’s a signing that is a real statement of intent.
“Paul is someone who has a tremendous pedigree, including playing games in the Premiership.
“He’s an attack-minded midfielder who we’re hoping will create lots of chances. He has intelligence in abundance.
“His scoring record has been not too bad during his career but we’re looking for that to be an area in which he can improve.”
The duo join Jamie O’Grady, Craig Donaldson, Scott Stevenson and David Brownlie in committing to the Rose, however Ferguson revealed that O’Grady may not end up playing at Prestonfield.
He said: “We’ve signed guys who we believe will be very good players at this level. Unfortunately, Jamie has moved to Spain so although he’s signed for us we’ll see what happens there but it would look like he’ll not be part of things.
“He obviously has to do what’s right for himself.
“Scott and David have played at higher levels and were at East Kilbride. They’ll hopefully shore up the defence.”
He added: “I’m looking for another three guys to come in but they have to be of the ability to start games, we’re not looking to just add numbers to the squad.
“We’re after a goalkeeper, a defensiveminded central midfielder and a number nine who’s an out- and- out centre forward.
“We have made an offer for a midfielder but we’re waiting on a response so we’ll see what happens on that front.”
Tentative plans are in place for a return to action in October and the former Alloa and Partick midfielder admits he’s planning to launch a title bid but is under no illusions as to how difficult a task that will be.
He said: “The aim is to win the league. It’s as simple as that. Now, clearly that won’t be an easy task and it’s a very tough league with a number of clubs feeling they can challenge but winning the league is the aim for everyone at this club.
“I’ve told the players to look after their fitness and now we’re in a place with the guidelines where some of them who live local to each other can meet up and kick a ball about or go for a run.
“I’ve left that very much in their own hands, but I’ve said to them that when we’re back in training it won’t be the fitness side of thing that they’ll have missed, it will be football.
“Ideally when we’re back in training I won’t need to worry about their fitness and we can get straight into the football and take it from there and get playing again.”