Club to keep three of its title winners

Three of Cove Rangers’ League 2 title winners have signed new contracts.

Defender Daniel Higgins and midfielders Fraser Fyvie and Jamie Masson penned extensions.

Manager Paul Hartley said: “They played key parts in helping us win League Two last season and the news they have chosen to extend their stay will give everyone at the club a huge lift.

“We now have all of our regulars from the last campaign secured on long-term contracts, which is something we were determined to do.”

Former Aberdeen, Wigan and Hibs player Fyvie joined Cove last August and played 24 games as well as scoring five goals in the titlewinning season.

Hartley said: “He will be a massive asset in what we know is going to be a tough second season at SPFL level.”

Higgins, 22, formerly of Celtic, Dundee and Kilmarnock made 25 appearances and scored three times and also moved to the north-east after signing last summer.

Hartley worked with him at Dens Park and said: “When the opportunity to sign him a year ago emerged we jumped at it because I knew Daniel would add composure as well as strength to our back line.

“Daniel also has tremendous technical ability for a central defender, as he proved with a couple of the goals he scored.”

Ex-Dons winger Masson has been with Cove for three years. This term he scored 15 goals and created another 10 in 34 games.

Hartley said: “Everyone knows he’s a very technically gifted player but he took things up to a new level to play a huge part in helping us finish the season as champions.”