As I kept track of every single transfer on a thread on P&B it seemed a shame to let the complete list not find a wider audience. As a result therefore I thought I'd type up a wee bit about each team and their dealings. Unfortunately that "wee bit" became quite a few thousand words, so instead of sticking it on there I felt it deserved a post of its own. Here we are then. A (pretty much) complete guide to who moved where without the words "World Record Breaking Deal"...or even the word "million" Ayr United
In: Paul Cairney (Stranraer), Michael Rose (Aberdeen), Daryl Meggatt (Dundee), Jordan Hart (Annan Athletic), Jamie Thomas (Burnley, loan), Andy O’Connell (Cobh Ramblers), Craig Moore (Motherwell, loan), Kevin Nisbet (Partick Thistle, loan), Gary Harkins (Dundee) Out: Gerry McLauchlan (Cowdenbeath), Adam Hodge (Hurlford United), Kieran Woods (Cumnock Juniors), Shaun Newman (Irvine Meadow XI), Andrew Muir (Cumnock), Jordan Preston (Blackburn, loan expired), Craig Moore (Motherwell, loan expired), Ross McCrorie (Rangers, loan expired), Andy Graham (Alloa Athletic), Alan Trouten (Brechin City), Ryan Stevenson (Dumbarton), Ryan Nisbet (Troon), Sean McKenzie (Cumnock Juniors), Craig McCracken (released) Continuity looks to be the name of the game for Ian McCall’s Ayr United side this season, with only a few arrivals to compliment the squad who won last season’s League One playoffs. Gary Harkins is the most eye-catching addition, the mercurial former Dundee captain is once again teaming up with McCall whom he worked with at Partick Thistle and, on his day, he can be amongst the most exciting players in the division. He’s joined in the side by his former Thistle team-mate Paul Cairney making the step back up to the Championship after impressing for Stranraer in League One last term. Fitness issues have blighted Cairney’s career and, despite enjoying a successful season with Stranraer, early showings suggest that they might hamper him again this campaign. Defender Daryl Meggatt played a big role in keeping Alloa in the Championship prior to winning a move to Dundee. Ultimately it didn’t work out, but he’s back at a level where he’s comfortable and should be a decent addition. He’s joined in the squad by Michael Rose who had a short and less than convincing loan spell with League One Forfar Athletic last season. Young forwards Kevin Nisbet, Jamie Thomas and Craig Moore have arrived on loan from Partick Thistle, Burnley and Motherwell respectively. Nisbet scored his first goal for the club on his debut against Queen of the South, whilst Thomas and Moore are still waiting to get off the mark. The latter has proven himself as a talented goalscorer, with 22 career goals in 38 starts, but has spent more time injured in the past 3 years than he has on the pitch. His fitness will be crucial to Ayr’s survival. Former Celtic goalkeeper Jordan Hart - who was excellent last season for Annan - is likely to be back up to the experienced Greg Fleming, whilst utility man Andy O’Connell is a new face to Scottish football, joining from League of Ireland First Division outfit Cobh Ramblers. Ayr’s success this season will very much depend on the attitude and fitness of Harkins, Cairney and Moore. If they are fit and hungry then they should have more than enough quality to avoid the drop. Even at this early stage that looks to be a big ‘if’ however. Dumbarton In: Robert Thomson (Brechin City), Andrew Stirling (Stranraer), Craig Pettigrew (Stranraer), Ryan Stevenson (Ayr United), David Smith (Falkirk), Jamie Barclay (Stenhousemuir), Josh Todd (Annan Athletic), Daniel Harvie (Aberdeen, loan), Alan Martin (Hamilton Accies), Joe Thomson (Celtic, loan), Sam Stanton (Hibernian, loan) Out: Scott Taggart (Alloa Athletic), Kevin Cawley (Alloa Athletic), Mikey Hopkins (Burnbrae Amateurs), Jordan Kirkpatrick (Alloa Athletic), Paul Heffernan (released), Jon Routledge (TNS), Jamie Lindsay (Celtic, loan expired), Calum Waters (Celtic, loan expired), Tom Walsh (Rangers, loan expired), Kler Heh (Sheffield United, loan expired), Steven Saunders (TNS), Andrew Biddulph (Clydebank), John Cunningham (released), Christian Nade (Stranraer), Ryan Clark (Kilwinning Rangers, loan), Jamie Barclay (released) Dumbarton’s summer signing were far more measured than last year - where a quantity over quality approach lead to the signings of Darren Miller, Gordon Smith and Stevie Ross to name but a few. This season the Sons have added plenty of quality going forward and, in the absence of the man who almost single handedly kept them up last season - Christian Nade - the success of Robert Thomson will be key to their survival. The big striker, who scored 15 times for Brechin City last season, has produced some impressive early showings, but appears to lack Nade’s clinical edge in front of goal. He’s assisted going forward by the vastly experienced Ryan Stevenson who surprised many by rejecting an offer from boyhood club Ayr United to join up with Stevie Aitken’s side. Fitness was a major issue for ‘Stevo’ last season and his performances, whilst interspersed with some stunning goals, were often well below average. An intensive pre-season seems to have worked wonders for him, and he looks fit and hungry to prove the doubters wrong. Striker Josh Todd joined the club as an amateur following a contract dispute with Annan Athletic, but he has been deployed mainly on the wing at the expense of another summer addition - tricky winger Andy Stirling who made the move from Aitken’s old side Stranraer, with former Falkirk man David Smith - benefitting from regular starts for the first time in his career - on the opposite flank. Whilst Dumbarton’s defence was more solid last season than it had been under Ian Murray it was still far from watertight. In attempt to steady things up Aitken brought in Stranraer’s Craig Pettigrew as a replacement for Steven Saunders who had joined TNS in the Welsh Premier League. Early showings have been far from convincing, and have left fans wondering why Scott Taggart wasn’t offered a new deal. On the left Aberdeen youngster Daniel Harvie has added some pace to an otherwise horrifically slow back line. In goals an injury to Jamie Ewings and some less than convincing performances from Mark Brown forced Aitken into bringing in Alan Martin from Hamilton. The former Scotland U21 ‘keeper has already proved his worth with some stunning saves and looks to have cemented his place as the club’s number 1 for the season. With influential first choice midfielders Jon Routledge and Jamie Lindsay leaving the club in the close season finding a suitable central midfielder to replace them was always going to be tough. Joe Thomson - a key member of Celtic’s unbeaten U20s side from last season’s development league - arrived just days before the start of the league campaign to finally add some energy and drive to a midfield which was far too often overrun during the failed Betfred Cup campaign. Sam Stanton completed a trio of loan signings, with the attack minded Hibernian midfielder joining late on deadline day. Dumbarton certainly bolstered their attacking ranks over the summer, but question marks remain over the depth of the squad and the strength of the defence. A small number of injuries has already hurt them this season, and something similar during the league campaign could put them in a perilous position. Dundee United In: Stewart Murdoch (Ross County), Cammy Bell (Rangers), Lewis Toshney (Raith Rovers), Tope Obadeyi (Kilmarnock), Cammy Smith (Aberdeen, loan), Willo Flood (Aberdeen), Nick van der Velden (Willem II), Frank van der Struijk (Willem II), William Edjenguélé (Veria), Anthony Andreu (Norwich City, loan) Out: Paul Paton (St Johnstone), Robbie Muirhead (Heart of Midlothian), Callum Morris (Aberdeen), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Chainat), Kieran Freeman (Southampton), Darko Bodul (Amkar Perm), Euan Spark (Dunfermline Athletic), Guy Demel (released), Eiji Kawashima (Metz), John Rankin (Falkirk), Ryan Dow (released), Edward Ofere (released), Gavin Gunning (released), Michal Szromnik (released), Joe McGovern (released), Greig McNaughton (St Mirren), Billy Mckay (Wigan Athletic, loan expired), Kyle Knoyle (West Ham United, loan expired), Henri Anier (Kalmar FF), Justin Johnson (York City, loan), Cameron Ballantyne (Montrose, loan), Aaron Murrell (Cowdenbeath, loan), Brett Long (Forfar Athletic, loan) The first task facing Ray McKinnon at Dundee United was to clear out the ridiculous amount of deadwood in the horrific squad assembled by Mixu Paatelainen last season. After a substantial amount of spring cleaning he was ready to put his mark on the squad by bringing in proven SPFL players. After a season full of (amongst other things) goalkeeping mistakes, the dependable Cammy Bell was brought in on a free from Rangers. He may be infamous for a calamitous mistake for the ‘Gers in the playoff final against Motherwell, but he’s a big improvement on Eiji Kawashima who seemed to chuck one in every week. Stewart Murdoch, Lewis Toshney and Willo Flood also arrived to help keep things tight at the back, and all 3 look as if they should be solid additions at this level. Tope Obadeyi has the pace and skills to cause teams problems on his day. It’s just unfortunate that his day appears to only be once every 6 months or so, whilst Cammy Smith has been on the fringes of the Aberdeen first team for what feels like years. Dutch striker Nick Van Der Velden burst onto the scene with a stunning Bergkamp-esque goal on his league debut against Queen of the South. Despite turning 35 in December the big forward looks like he could be a very handy addition. Van Der Velden is joined by his fellow countryman Frank van der Struijk who joined from Willem II and powerful French defender William Edjenguélé. Both are still to make their debuts for the club. The deadline day arrival of Tony Andreu from Norwich City looks like a real coup for the club. The Frenchman was one of the stars of Alex Neil’s remarkable Hamilton side and arrives fresh off the back of a hat-trick for the Canaries Academy in the ‘Checkatrade Trophy’. His quality could prove crucial if United are to form any sort of title fight. McKinnon is a smart manager, and his additions have been carefully picked to fit in with his style of play and ethos. However signing players from abroad to play at this level is a strategy that backfires more often than not (not that any Arabs will need to be told about that!) As a result the form of Flood, Murdoch, Bell, Andreu and even Obadeyi will likely have a bigger say on United’s season than any other factor. Dunfermline Athletic In: Nathaniel Wedderburn (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Callum Smith (Fife Elite Football Academy), Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock), Gavin Reilly (Hearts, loan), Paul McMullan (Celtic, loan), Euan Spark (Dundee United), Kallum Higginbotham (Kilmarnock), Scott Lochead (Free Agent), Nicky Clark (Bury), John Herron (Blackpool, loan) Out: Ryan Wallace (Albion Rovers), Shaun Byrne (Livingston), Jordan Orru (Berwick Rangers), Cammy McClair (released), Shaun Rooney (York City), Brad Mckay (St Johnstone, loan expired), Josh Falkingham (released), Scott Robinson (East Fife), Craig Reid (Keflavík), PJ Crossan (Celtic), Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Dundee) There can be little doubt that Dunfermline will be an entertaining side to watch this season, but massive doubts still linger about a very suspect looking defence. After success guiding Queen of the South out of League One Allan Johnston repeated the feat with the Pars. His side were in scintillating form scoring over 80 goals last season in the league and managing 11 wins in which they scored 4 or more goals. The man behind most of them - Moroccan Faissal El Bakhtaoui - rejected a new deal in the summer and was swiftly replaced by former Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly who joined on loan from Hearts. Wingers Paul McMullan and Kallum Higginbotham arrived to provide competition for Pars icon Joe Cardle. Both are talented players but have a habit of going missing when things get tough and spend a lot of time flattering to deceive. McMullan especially endured two disastrous loan spells with St Mirren and Morton last season, whilst Higginbotham has struggled to recapture his early form for Partick Thistle. The Pars early results could determine how successful their stints with the club are. Striker Nicky Clark - who scored 38 goals in 43 appearances the last time he played under Johnston - was a late arrival after an unhappy 4 game spell with Bury. He’ll add a much needed clinical edge to the all too erratic finishing of Reilly and Michael Moffat. At the back Lee Ashcroft has joined from Kilmarnock along with the sizable presence of Nat Wedderburn from Inverness. Whilst a big unit Wedderburn’s agility is, at best, akin to an articulated lorry whilst Ashcroft seems prone to erratic decisions. The return to fitness of first choice ‘keeper Sean Murdoch can’t come soon enough to help settle a nervy defence. Dunfermline will stay up this season. Of that there are no doubts. Whether or not they can force their way into the playoff places will depend on their attacking finding a more clinical side in front of goal. Falkirk In: James Craigen (Raith Rovers), Liam Henderson (Hearts), Lewis Kidd (Queen of the South), Luca Gasparotto (Rangers), Danny Rogers (Aberdeen, loan), John Rankin (Dundee United) Out: Danny Rogers (Aberdeen, loan expired), Kevin McCann (Albion Rovers), Blair Alston (St Johnstone), Graham Bowman (released), David Smith (Dumbarton), Lewis Small (Stenhousemuir), Liam Dick (Stranraer), Alex Tokarczyk (released), Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) It’s been a quiet summer for last season’s surprise package Falkirk. The Bairns lost key men Blair Alston and the quietly tremendous Will Vaulks in the summer, and brought in the experienced John Rankin, versatile Lewis Kidd and attack minded James Craigen to replace them. Neither Rankin nor Kidd are of the quality of the men they replaced, but both should be more than capable of performing in the Championship. Craigen meanwhile played a role in Raith’s charge to the playoffs, and scored some impressive goals, but lacks some of the fight that was a hallmark of the players he replaced. Canadian Luca Gasparotto - who was a star performer for Morton last season - has arrived after leaving Rangers and he should strike up a strong partnership with Peter Grant when he finally returns to fitness. Whilst Championship goalkeeper of the season Danny Rogers has extended his loan with the club for another season. Early signs haven’t been hugely promising that Falkirk can repeat last season’s form. John Baird is cutting a frustrated figure upfront, whilst Nathan Austin has found his opportunities limited and the vastly experienced Lee Miller can’t seem to last 90 minutes. It’s that lack of firepower that will hamper the Bairns promotion aims this season, as few teams will be stronger defensively. Greenock Morton In: Michael Doyle (St Johnstone), Gary Oliver (Queen of the South), Caolan McAleer (Airdrieonians), Jamie Lindsay (Celtic, loan), Kudos Oyenuga (Hartlepool United), Aidan Nesbitt (Celtic, loan) Out: Bobby Barr (Raith Rovers), Stefan McCluskey (Peterhead), Luca Gasparotto (Rangers, loan ended, released), Declan McManus (Fleetwood Town, loan expired), Alex Samuel (Swansea City, loan expired), Denny Johnstone (Birmingham City, loan expired), Paul McMullan (Celtic, loan expired), Frank McKeown (Stranraer), Peter MacDonald (Clyde), Michael Miller (Livingston), Joe McKee (Carlisle United), Thomas Orr (Livingston, loan) Last season Declan McManus, Denny Johnstone and Alex Samuel scored 21 of Morton’s 39 league goals. This season they’ll have to make do without all 3. Gary Oliver, Kudos Oyenuga and Jai Quitongo will be expected to fill the void left by their goalscoring loan trio from last season. Quitongo - not yet 19 - has looked impressive since making the step up from the club’s development squad, whilst Oliver has struggled to make an impact, especially when played upfront alone when he’s spent the majority of his short career playing in behind a striker or on the wing. Oyenuga has already scored despite still not starting a game for the club but, as he proved during his loan spell with Cowdenbeath, is an erratic finisher and drifts in and out of games. Jamie Lindsay is an impressive addition in midfield. The on-loan Celtic man was outstanding for Dumbarton last season and, if deployed in his natural central berth, should provide plenty of quality in a fairly industrious team. His Celtic team-mate Aiden Nesbitt is highly thought of at Parkhead, but struggled during a loan spell with Partick Thistle last season. Regular first team football at Cappielow could be the making of him, and hopes are high that he could help add goals to a side which is badly lacking a creative spark. Michael Duffy, formerly with St Johnstone and Alloa, is a good addition to Jim Duffy’s solid defence whilst Caolan McAleer, released by Airdrieonians at the end of last season, is an early contender for strangest signing of the summer. This season looks like it will be tough for the Greenock side. Jim Duffy has built a side that are well organised and hard to break down, but lack a consistent attacking spark, and are without a recognised goalscorer. Whatever the season brings, it doesn’t look as if it’ll be pretty. Hibernian In: Grant Holt (Rochdale), Ross Laidlaw (Raith Rovers), Ofir Marciano (FC Ashdod, loan), Andrew Shinnie (Birmingham City, loan), Brian Graham (Ross County), Patrick Martin (St Johnstone) Out: Liam Henderson (Celtic, loan expired), Anthony Stokes (Celtic, loan expired), Niklas Gunnarsson (Valengra, loan expired), Farid El Alagui (released), Conrad Logan (Rochdale), Jordan McGregor (Hamilton Accies), Josh Peters (Forfar Athletic), Chris Dagnall (Crewe Alexandra), Mark Oxley (Southend United), Jamie Insall (East Fife, loan), Sam Stanton (Dumbarton, loan) Alan Stubbs left a hero after Hibernian’s stunning Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers, but he also left Hibs still in the Championship after another failure in the playoffs. New manager Neil Lennon has changed little with the focus placed on keeping prized assets John McGinn and Jason Cummings at the Edinburgh club. Both have stayed, and Cummings will have some of the load taken off him by the arrival of vastly experienced striker Grant Holt. The former Norwich skipper will be 36 before the end of the season, but has the ability to score goals if he’s given the service. He’s joined upfront by lanky striker Brian Graham, a man who struggled to shine in the Premiership after scoring for fun with Raith at this level. When he’s on form he can be devastating, the task facing Neil Lennon now will be to find the confidence that has been missing from his game over the past few years and restore it. Along with Holt Andrew Shinnie - formerly of Inverness - has also arrived from the English Football League. The brother of Aberdeen full-back Graeme starred for Inverness the last time he played north of the border and should be a good replacement for the outstanding Liam Henderson who has returned to Celtic. Incredibly, despite many high profile mistakes, Hibernian managed to find another club prepared to sign Mark Oxley. Southend United were the unlucky victims. Meanwhile cult hero Conrad Logan also left the club despite his Scottish Cup heroics, joining Holt’s former side Rochdale. This left Lennon looking for a goalkeeper. Otso Virtanen started as number one, but an unfortunate mistake in the Europa League qualifying round saw him replaced by former Raith ‘keeper Ross Laidlaw - a man who last played for Elgin City in League Two! Laidlaw appears to now be second choice behind Israeli international Ofir Marciano who joined the club on loan from FC Ashdod in his homeland. No club in the division can match the quality of player in Hibernian’s squad, but there’s big pressure on Neil Lennon to finally deliver that long overdue promotion. How well he, and the team, cope with that pressure will be the biggest hurdle between the club and Championship glory. Queen of the South In: Steven Rigg (Carlisle United), Lyndon Dykes (Surfers Paradise Apollo SC), Grant Anderson (Raith Rovers), Jamie Hamill (Kilmarnock), Lee Robinson (unattached), Stephen Dobbie (Bolton Wanderers) Out: Andrew Murdoch (Rangers, loan expired), Alex Harris (Hibernian, loan expired), James Fowler (sacked), Ryan Conroy (Airdrieonians), Kyle Hutton (St Mirren), Iain Russell (Airdrieonians), Gary Oliver (Morton), Lewis Kidd (Falkirk), Shaun Rutherford (Cowdenbeath), Aidan Smith (Annan Athletic, loan), Robbie Thomson (released) There’s only one place to start when talking about Queen of the South’s summer transfer dealings, and that is with the return of Stephen Dobbie. The former Bolton man scored 47 times in 74 starts for Queens the last time he played at this level, form that earned him a big money move to Swansea City. After spending the last 7 years in the top three tiers of English football he opted to return to Queens in a move that was as shocking for the rest of us as it was incredible for fans of Dumfries club. 4 goals in 4 starts already this season show that he’s lost none of his prowess in front of goal, and the sheer quality of his strikes against Falkirk mark him out as a class above almost any other striker in the division. It’s never fair to say a team are a one man team, but Queen of the South are as close as you could possibly get to that. Dobbie is capable of winning games single handedly, but he wasn’t the only player returning to Palmerston during the summer. Goalkeeper Lee Robinson had been an integral part of Allan Johnston’s promotion winning side, and looks like an improvement on youngsters Robbie Thomson and James Atkinson. Meanwhile the wonderfully named Lyndon Dykes returned to the Dumfries side from (the equally as fantastically named) Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club in Australia. His early showings have been impressive and, despite doubts, he looks to have the potential to be a big player for them this season. Further additions came in the shape of rapid winger Grant Anderson from Raith Rovers, striker Steven Rigg from Carlisle United and Jamie Hamill from Kilmarnock. Incredibly, despite seemingly being around since the beginning of time itself, Hamill is only 30 and so should have a few decent years left in him. Prior to Dobbie I thought it was going to be a tough season for Queens again, but his return means that a playoff push is very much on the cards. If he can build up a partnership with 35 year old Derek Lyle then they could prove to be a very profitable - if ancient - double act. Raith Rovers In: Bobby Barr (Morton), James Berry (Fife Elite Football Academy), Ryan Stevenson (Fife Elite Football Academy), Chris Johnston (Kilmarnock), Kevin McHattie (Kilmarnock), Aaron Lennox (Aberdeen, loan), Jean-Yves Mvoto (Zawisza Bydgoszcz), Yaw Osei (Reading), Joel Coustrain (Sheffield United), Scott Roberts (Rangers, loan), Rudi Skacel (unattached), Declan McManus (Fleetwood Town, loan), Andreas Thorsen (Hong Kong FC), Jordan Thomson (Rangers, loan), Conor Brennan (Kilmarnock), Craig Easton (Torquay United) Out: James Craigen (Falkirk), Ryan McCord (Arbroath), Darren Petrie (Stirling Albion), Ryan Hardie (Rangers, loan expired), Harry Panayiotou (Leicester City, loan expired), Louis Longridge (Hamilton Accies, loan expired), Laurie Ellis (Dundee United), Scott Law (released), Elliot Ford (Brechin City), Kieran Campbell (released), Grant Anderson (Queen of the South), David McGurn (Cowdenbeath), Lewis Toshney (Dundee United), Aidan Connolly (York City), Ross Laidlaw (Hibernian), David Bates (Rangers, loan), Rory McKeown (Accrington Stanley), Jonny Court (Montrose, loan), Dave McKay (Montrose, loan) I’m not going to lie, I’ve been absolutely dreading reaching Raith Rovers. Over the close season everything has changed at Stark’s Park. Players have left in droves, and arrived in busloads, Gary Locke has replaced Ray McKinnon and optimism has drained...and then been revitalised. The only thing that hasn’t changed over the course of pre-season is Raith’s form. They remain undefeated under Locke in the league and, despite sniggers about his horrific managerial record to date, he’s starting to look like he might just know what he’s doing. Of course whenever Gary Locke takes over at a club he immeditely signs players from his former side. Normally one of these players is Kevin McHattie and, sure enough, the left-back arrived in Kirkcaldy just weeks after Locke. He more than adequately filled the gap left by the departure of Rory McKeown who rejected a new deal and recently signed non-contract terms at Accrington Stanley. The glory of football, eh? Also joining Rovers from Killie is winger Chris Johnston - tipped as Scotland’s original ‘mini Messi’ a few years ago - who has endured a torrid time with injuries over the past few seasons. Long serving ‘keeper - and fans favourite - David McGurn left the club after spending last season out on loan and injured. His spot on the bench was taken by young Australian loanee Aaron Lennox who replaced the injured Kevin Cuthbert for the second league match of the season...only to get injured himself. Conor Brennan has been brought in until January to provide cover for both. 37 year old Rudi Skacel was a high profile addition, and having been out of the game for almost 3 years doubts remain over his ability to play at this level. The quality is evidently there, but whether or not the fitness is remains to be seen. Jean Yves-Mvoto is a colossal, if clumsy, figure in defence whilst loan Rangers Scott Roberts and Jordan Thompson add quality to the squad. Other additions include relative unknowns Yaw Osei, Joel Coustrain and Andreas Thorsen who all look like they will be on the fringes of things this season. Also in the squad is entertaining winger Bobby Barr who joined the club from Morton prior to Ray McKinnon’s departure. It’s impossible to tell how Raith Rovers will fare this season. Aidan Connolly and Ryan Hardie are big losses, but they have brought in players with the potential to be very useful at this level. They’ve started the season perfectly, and that will buy Gary Locke some time should they hit a rocky patch later in the season. Is he the right man for the job? I had my doubts, but on early showings he is certainly proving me (and many others) wrong. St Mirren In: Kyle Hutton (Queen of the South), David Clarkson (Motherwell), Ben Gordon (Livingston), Gary MacKenzie (Doncaster Rovers), Scott Gallacher (Alloa Athletic), John Sutton (St Johnstone), Tom Walsh (Rangers, loan), Lawrence Shankland (Aberdeen, loan), Ryan Hardie (Rangers, loan) Out: Keith Watson (St Johnstone), Sean Kelly (AFC Wimbledon), Jim Goodwin (Alloa Athletic), Alan Gow (released), Stuart Carswell (Keflavík), Cameron Howieson (released), Scott Agnew (Stranraer), Barry Cuddihy (Annan Athletic), Jaison McGrath (released), Alex Cooper (released), Steven Thompson (retired), David Clarkson (Motherwell, loan expired), Lawrence Shankland (Aberdeen, loan expired) Alex Rae did an impressive job with St Mirren last season after taking over the mess left by Ian Murray. A 6th place finish was about the best they could expect, and hopes were high that a playoff push would be on the cards this season. Rae recruited some good players over the summer. John Sutton’s return to the club was most welcome and the Englishman was joined in the striking ranks by fellow thirty something David Clarkson and young loan players Ryan Hardie and Lawrence Shankland - who scored an impressive 10 goals last season in an extremely defensive Saints team. The problem with Rae’s recruitment however lay in his inability to sign a replacement for Jim Goodwin. Not having a hard man in midfield scuppered St Mirren last season and it looks set to do the same this year. Scott Gallacher is an upgrade on Jamie Langfield who lived up to his nickname last season on more than one occasion, along with him Gary MacKenzie is a good (if slightly mental) addition to the backline, albeit he has still to make his debut after missing pre-season with an injury. Rae’s signing policy often resembled the cliched ‘kid in a sweetie shop’. He admitted he snapped up MacKenzie because he was too good a player not to sign, but this left fellow summer arrival Ben Gordon out on a limb with rumours of a loan move to Dumbarton never materialising. An uninspiring start to the season has lead to pressure mounting on Rae already. The St Mirren fans are amongst the most vocal in the country when things aren’t going their way (boooooooo etc etc) and Rae knows that they need to start winning games fast to prevent the atmosphere turning toxic. Just as it did with Murray last season...and Tommy Craig before him. It’s an unenviable task.
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April 2020
CategoriesAuthorI'm Fraser, 22, Sons fan who is now living the dream of reporting on Dumbarton for the Lennox Herald. |