Hearts land loan signing
KELTY HEARTS have strengthened their squad by completing the signing of Fergus Owens from League One rivals Hamilton Academical.
New Central Park player / manager, Michael Tidser, has snapped up the 20- year- old centre back on a loan deal, which Press Sport understands will run until January, with a view to it continuing until the end of the season.
He was set to meet up with his new team- mates for the first time on Tuesday night, and should be in the squad for Saturday’s televised home clash with Falkirk.
Owens, who has previously had loan spells with Clydebank, Bo’ness Athletic and Blackburn United, made 24 appearances in all competitions for Accies last season, 18 of which were in the Championship.
However, following relegation, he has played just once for John Rankin’s side this term - in a win over Brechin City in the Viaplay Cup - and will now link- up with Kelty.
“He’s just a young lad, but I think he’s got a bit of experience,” Tidser told Press Sport.
“It’s one we’ve been trying to get for the last couple of weeks, so we’ve managed it now. Hopefully he’ll be involved in the squad come Saturday.
“He’s still a young lad but he’s a good player.
“He’s probably just found himself a wee bit unlucky in terms of Hamilton strengthening that area in the summer. He’s got a bit of experience with playing in the Championship, he’s young, he’s enthusiastic, and he’ll be a good player for us I think. I hope anyway.
“He’s hungry to play. I’ve spoken to the boy three or four times, he wants to play games, which is always good for a manager. You could easily just sit about and not bother your backside, but he wants to get out and challenge himself again. He’s coming into a side where he can hopefully go and do well, and keep his career moving forward.”
Tidser could only name five subtitutes to sit on the bench for Saturday’s draw at Cove Rangers, with Tiwi Daramola, at 21, the oldest of them.
He is hopeful of adding further to his squad, and continued: “We’re still plugging away just now trying to get players.
“I’m speaking daily to managers, agents and different people in football trying to do what’s right for the club.
“It’s easy just bringing in boys. We’ve had two or three in to have a wee look at from Premiership clubs, but it needs to be the right ones. There’s no point in bringing boys in just for the sake of it.
“They need to be good enough to go and make an impact on the team.”