SIGNINGS JUST BRILL Ex-Caley keeper joins influx of new faces at Fir Park
Motherwell have started a summer of signings this week after announcing four new faces in five days.
Jacob Blyth, Ben Heneghan and Richard Tait all put pen to paper last Thursday before Dean Brill signed on Monday.
However, manager Mark McGhee has stated that the summer signings may not be finished yet.
The Steelmen returned for preseason training on Monday and the Well gaffer said: “We’ve got other areas of the park we’re looking to strengthen, and will continue trying to nail our top targets.”
New goalkeeper Dean Brill will be battling with Craig Samson for the number one jersey at Fir Park for the upcoming campaign.
The former Inverness keeper had a year out through injury but insists he is ready to get back to business.
He said: “I’m pleased it’s all done and I’m looking forward to the season ahead. I’m grateful to be here and push for that number one spot.
“I’ve been working hard in the gym and it has been a long comeback but I feel that I’m now stronger and I’ve got that hunger to get back to where I was and hopefully go beyond that.”
The 30- year- old added he was pleased to get through the first day of pre-season, labelled “easy” by boss McGhee.
Brill said: “The manager said it was going to be a nice day but it was tough – pre-season is always tough – but it was nice just to get back out and forget everything and get back involved again.”
Jacob Blyth heads to Fir Park from Premiership Champions Leicester and revealed how Kieran Kennedy sold him on a move up north. The 23-year-old striker said: “I was at Leicester with Kieran Kennedy and as soon as interest came in from Motherwell I gave him a quick phone call.
“He sold the club to me and told me how good it was. He put it in a really good light which played quite a big part in me coming here.
“To be training with players who were sitting on top of the Premier League was brilliant and I’ve took on loads of tips from the players at Leicester – they’ve got that winning mentality, which I look up to.”
Ben Heneghan arrived at Fir Park on Thursday from Chester and the highly rated defender is relishing the chance to play in Scotland.
He said: “I’m very happy to finally get it sorted, it has been a bit stressful waiting around, but I’m happy to be here now. I heard a few rumours in
January that things were sparking up, but obviously at the time I was still under contract, so it was keeping my head down and concentrating on football.
“Football’s getting a bit softer as time goes on but it’s a bit more physical up here, which is good for me because I like that side of the game.
“I think it’s going to be a big test, because it’s a massive step-up for me. I’m looking forward to it.”
The third of the signings unveiled last week was right-back Richard Tait.
The 26-year-old agreed a three-year deal at the club and believes the decision was a no-brainer.
He said:“I think having the security of a lengthy contract is a massive thing.
“It gives me a chance to settle and really get my head down and try to do as well as I can for the club in the time that I’m here.
“Every team in this league is a big team,and you have two massive clubs, which goes without saying. I don’t think it takes a lot to attract you to Scotland, I think it speaks for itself and that’s the reason why I came.”
Motherwell are in action this Saturday against Albion Rovers in their first pre-season friendly of the season.