The Herald

Hamilton snap up former Celtic midfielder Donati from Serie B

- DEREK MILLAR

HAMILTON have signed former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati.

Accies confirmed the Italian, 35, had signed a one-year deal to return to Scottish football, seven years after leaving Parkhead.

He has spent the past two seasons playing for Bari in Serie B.

Former AC Milan player Donati made 54 appearance­s during two seasons in Glasgow, and scored a memorable late Champions League winner against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Hamilton have also signed defenders Jack Breslin and Jordan McGregor, and taken Norwich City goalkeeper Remi Matthews on loan.

Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern, who is out of contract after two years with Accies, is expected to join Norwich, who are managed by ex-Hamilton boss Alex Neil. DUNFERMLIN­E manager Allan Johnston has signed experience­d Kilmarnock winger Kallum Higginboth­am on a one-year deal.

The 27-year-old has made the switch to East End Park after being transfer-listed by Killie boss Lee Clark following the Ayrshire side’s play-off final win over Falkirk in May. Higgbotham made 31 appearance­s for the Rugby Park outfit, scoring six goals, after moving from Patrick Thistle last summer.

The attacking midfielder has experience of Scottish Championsh­ip football after joining Falkirk in July, 2010 before returning south of the Border 18 months later for spells at Huddersfie­ld Town, Barnsley and Carlisle United.

Johnston, who could hand Higgbotham a debut in tonight’s Betfred Cup visit of Arbroath, said: “I’m delighted to have signed Kallum, he is a quality player and someone I’ve admired for a long time. He will add further quality to our squad for the season ahead.”

Johnston also admits goalkeeper David Hutton has a chance to stake a claim for the No.1 jersey in tonight’s clash.

The 31-year-old is set to be handed the gloves for the Group C encounter, with Sean Murdoch sidelined due to a wrist problem.

Hutton, who joined the Pars from Ayr United last summer, featured in pre-season wins against Patrick Thistle and Hearts. The form of Murdoch restricted Hutton to only two appearance­s last season as the Fife outfit cruised to the League One title.

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