Manager praises duo for promotion efforts Experienced names help elevate Johnstone Burgh
JOHNSTONE Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon praised the professionalism of Kyle Lafferty and Graham Dorrans for helping his side to promotion this season.
The duo joined the club in the summer after spending their careers playing at international level for their countries and across some of the biggest leagues in world football.
Lafferty was sidelined for much of the season with injury but returned at the business end to score four times in the run-in whilst Dorrans’ cool head in midfield proved to also be pivotal.
They will now compete in the Premier Division of the West of Scotland Football League and MacKinnon insists his whole dressing room deserve credit.
Speaking to he said: “They work really hard and are two experienced professionals who lead by example in terms of how they go about their business.
“Kyle and Graham have been a big part of what we have done and they have been great. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about those lads.
“There’s a lot of boys who put in a lot of energy and I’m proud of all of them.”
Burgh signed off for the 2023/24 season with a 4-0 win over Petershill last week to secure a secondplace finish in the First Division.
MacKinnon was only appointed as boss for the final eight games, guiding the Keanie Park side to seven victories to seal promotion.
His players will enjoy some time off before returning for preseason next month but for him, the hard work continues.
He said: “We’ve come in and put some ideas across but the players have been fantastic at buying into what we’re doing.
“The energy they have shown to come through those games and go and get those wins and get the club in the Premier League has been first class.
“It’s a well-earned rest for some but we’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of next season and making sure the prepartions are right for going into the Premier League.
“I know it’s a really tough league, I know the standard and there’s a lot of good teams in there so we need to be well prepared and ready to go.”
MacKinnon has put his stamp on things in Johnstone as the club this week announced Ryan Wallace, Kieran Brady, Dom Boland, Jamish McKinlay and Stuart Fyfe will all be leaving when their contracts expire this summer.
Loan players Ally Small, Harry Broun and Jonny Lyon will also return to their parent clubs.