Jags boss: Craig could complete title jigsaw
Moore time for Ton Mcnamara welcomes loan striker, but says Doolan is staying put Turner now a Son
ALLAN MOORE admits it will take time for his young Morton stars to shine in the Irn-Bru First Division.
The Ton manager has recruited a mixture of up-and-coming talent and experienced stalwarts for the new campaign, writes Chris Jack.
Morton host Dumbarton tomorrow aiming to record their first league win of the season.
Moore said: “We’ve got boys in the team who haven’t played at this level and I hope fans are patient.
“Scott Taggart and Stephen Stirling were at Stranraer, but this league is a step up from that and it can take time to bed in.
“Jordan Halsman is the same. He’s been playing reser ve football with Motherwell.”
JACKIE McNAMARA reckons Steven Craig’s experience will prove vital as Partick Thistle set their sights on the IrnBru First Division title.
The Jags boss completed his sixth summer signing yesterday with the capture of Ross County star Craig on a sixmonth loan deal, further strengthening his attacking arsenal for their shot at championship glory.
Craig was part of the Staggies side that romped to the First Division crown last season, and McNamara today insisted his arrival will not signal an early exit for star man Kris Doolan in the final hours of the transfer window today.
He said: “I think Steven will give the group a lift and add a bit of experience because we do have a lot of younger players in the forward areas with Mark McGuigan, Christie Elliot and James Craigen.
“Steven will give a different option and he has good experience both in the game and of winning this division with Ross County last year. He is at a good age and comes here wanting to do well.
“I have looked at the games we have played, like the Hamilton game last Tuesday night, where we could have done with the kind of experience Steven will bring.
“Hopefully the younger ones can learn from him as well. It has been great that we have been able to do the deal for Steven because the finances are really tight. I am delighted to be able to bring him in.”
He went on: “I have not had any interest for players and Dools wouldn’t be going anyway. DUMBARTON have signed Shamrock Rovers midfielder Chris Turner until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has spent the last three years with Rovers, but has returned to Scotland for family reasons, despite his deal still having two months to run, writes Chris Jack.
Turner could make his debut when Alan Adamson’s side travel to Cappielow to face Morton tomorrow looking to register their first points in the Irn-Bru First Division this season.
Turner has had brief experience in Scottish football, having turned out for Partick Thistle four years ago.
He only spent a few months at Firhill before signing for Dundalk and has now sealed his return to our second flight.
“I know he is in the last year of his contract, but hopefully he will stay here beyond this season and in the top division with us.”
Craig could make his Jags bow against Hamilton Accies tomorrow as the Jags attempt to bounce back from their midweek cup loss to Billy Reid’s side.
THE defeat was Thistle’s first of the season, but McNamara insists they won’t dwell on what might have been as they look to extend their unbeaten league run.
He said: “Tomorrow is a massive game for us. We will go out and try to do things in the right way.
“Three points this week is more important in the long term, but I was really wanting to get through on Tuesday night, especially for the fans who once again came out in great numbers.
“It would have been nice to get through and get a good tie in the next round, but we have to focus on tomorrow now.”