Walker challenged to be like new signing for City

BRECHIN BOSS Ray McKinnon has revealed he hopes a heart-to-heart he had with Allan Walker will be the catalyst which helps the player prove he has a future with the club, writes Neil Robertson.

The midfielder was put on the transfer list earlier this month by the Glebe Park gaffer after failing to make an impact since signing during the summer.

The former Raith Rovers skipper, though, has really knuckled down in recent weeks and was rewarded for his efforts with a run-out in the second half on Saturday as City thrillingly came back from 2-0 down against Dunfermline to win 3-2.

Now, McKinnon is demanding further improvement from Walker and if it is forthcoming, then the manager believes it will be like having a new signing.

He said: “Allan Walker is still on the transfer list but we had a good chat and he is working hard on his fitness five days a week with the physio.

“If he can get back to his sharpest, he will be like a new signing but it is all down to him. He needs to show the right desire to get back to his best, to play and produce for us.

“The response so far after we had our chat when I put him on the transfer list has been positive and I gave him game time on Saturday as a reward.

“Hopefully his progress will continue and he can show he still has a future at the club.”

McKinnon, though, did confirm there will be no more additions to his squad following the capture of former Dundee United and Dunfermline striker Robert Thomson earlier this week as he has now exhausted his playing budget.

The manager said: “I was delighted to be able to bring Robert in to the club.

“He is determined to do well for us and has looked good in training so far.

“Robert was denied opportunities at Dunfermline but he is a fine player. He is a big unit and gives us a different type of option up front

“He will be the last new addition as my hands are tied until the end of the season.”

Brechin have now won their last three games on the bounce and McKinnon believes that after an injury and suspension-hit start to the season, his squad are finally nearing their best once again.

He added: “The boys are all still buzzing after coming back from 2-0 down at the weekend.

“Darren Petrie produced a great finish at the winner for what was his first goal in senior football.

“I feel the squad is getting stronger and fitter once again which is why we have gone on this good run.

“It was good to have boys like Derek Carcary and Steven Robb as well as Walker coming back in.

“So I am pleased with the way we are playing and the fact that we are back scoring goals again.” Twitter: C_NRobertson

Allan Walker.