Aitken glad to have Walsh on board for Sons

DUMBARTON manager Stephen Aitken believes that seeing four players return to full-time clubs convinced former Rangers midfielder Tom Walsh to join the Sons for next season.

The 20-year-old was in demand but he has committed himself to the club where he had a loan spell in 2016 before his release from the Light Blues this year.

Aitken said: “Tom played a few games for Rangers and has had loan spells with Stenhousemuir, St Mirren and ourselves as well as having a stint in Ireland.

“He needs the platform of regular football at a high level to fulfil his potential and he will get that at Dumbarton.

“Last season we provided that to Alan Martin, Gregor Buchanan, Andy Stirling and Robert Thomson and they have all returned to full-time football this summer.

“Tom looked at our record and realised he was at a great place to make that happen.”

Aitken is also keen to have a look at former Celtic kid Aidan McIlduff with the 20-year-old set to join the Sons for pre-season training.

McIlduff progressed through the Parkhead club’s Youth Academy and gained experience in the UEFA Youth League as well as playing once in the first team in a 5-2 friendly win over Austrian side LASK Linz in 2014.

The left sided full-back or midfielder also enjoyed loan spells at Clyde and Queen’s Park with Aitken saying: “Aidan did well at an under-20 level for Celtic and has had a taste of first-team football at a couple of other clubs.

“He has been asked to show us what he can do with our squad and we will take things from there.”

Dundee United midfielder Willo Flood insists promotion is the only thing on his mind after signing a one-year deal at Tannadice.

The experienced former Celtic and Aberdeen player, who is in his fourth spell at United, was part of the side that was defeated in last season’s play-off final to Hamilton.

Flood, who put pen to paper on a new deal just two days after Stewart Murdoch signed a two-year contract, said: “I enjoy being a United player and I am determined to get this club into the Premiership.

“I am happy to have signed a new contract and now want to focus on ensuring promotion.”

Livingston manager David Hopkin has applauded Dylan Mackin for putting his first-team prospects before money after signing the striker on a two-year deal from Motherwell.

Hopkin says the 20-year-old turned down the offer of a more lucrative deal at a Premiership club to make the switch to the Championship.

He said: “It speaks volumes for the lad that he has chosen Livingston, as I know he had a better contract financially elsewhere.”