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Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hibs legend's son can make name for himself at East Kilbride, says boss Mick Kennedy
The League Two side have signed Josh O'Connor ahead of the new season Mick Kennedy reckons it is tough for new signing Josh O'Connor to follow in the footsteps of his famous footballing father, but hopes finding a home at East Kilbride can help the striker make a name for himself. The 21-year-old is the son of former Hibernian and Scotland striker Garry O'Connor and started out at the Hibees, making his first team debut in 2022. But it hasn't gone according to plan so far with loan spells at Airdrieonians and League of Ireland outfit Dundalk failing to do enough to keep him on the books at Easter Road. O'Connor left the capital club in January this year to sign an 18-month deal at Northern Irish Premiership side Crusaders, but just a handful of appearances there has seen Kilby come to an agreement to bring him back to Scotland on a permanent contract. Garry O'Connor was in attendance as Josh made his debut in Saturday's 1-0 friendly win over Neil Lennon's Dunfermline at K-Park and Kennedy hopes he can help Josh kick-start his senior career. He said: 'It is hard for Josh coming through being Garry's boy and he hasn't really settled anywhere. 'He had a good spell at Airdrie for a period, but he's obviously been out in Ireland and wanted to come back home. 'He just needs to get up to our level. I think all the boys who have come in this year – even those who have come in from full-time football – have been shocked at the levels the boys are at in terms of fitness and the standard we do things to at training. 'So it will take Josh a bit of time and a bit of adjusting but I don't think anybody doubts his talent. Josh is young, energetic and powerful. I think Josh just needs to find a home where he can thrive.' O'Connor was one of two new recruits this past week with Kilby also snapping up Dumbarton's player of the year, Mouhamed 'Sena' Niang after his contract at the Rock expired. Kennedy feels the 25-year-old defensive midfielder will bring a different dimension to Kilby in the pursuit of the League Two title this season and revealed they had to fight off some competition to secure his services. He added: 'He will bring physicality, energy and legs. He's a wee bit different from what we've got in the team at the moment. 'We started speaking to him about four weeks ago but he had a lot of options. 'He was on a really good contract at Dumbarton and I think his other options weren't as strong, financially, so we had a bit of work to do. 'But we managed to sell the project to him and he will bring a real presence to the squad.' East Kilbride's next game is a friendly with Championship side Morton on Saturday, followed by a behind closed doors clash with Premiership side Hearts. Jambos boss Derek McInnes will bring the Tynecastle side to K-Park on Tuesday, July 8 in what be a huge test. Kennedy said: 'Hearts will be a tough one but it will prepare us to face St Johnstone in the cup [on July 12 at home].'
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen Robinson explains quality which could make St Mirren new boy Liam Donnelly 'invaluable'
The 29-year-old midfielder joins the Buddies following a spell at Kilmarnock. Liam Donnelly has today become St Mirren's fifth summer signing. The Northern Irishman penned a two-year deal at the SMiSA Stadium following his departure from Premiership rivals Kilmarnock. The 29-year-old's arrival means manager Stephen Robinson has an abundance of options in central midfield with Donnelly joining Mark O'Hara, Killian Phillips, Roland Idowu, Osisin Smyth and Fraser Taylor. Donnelly is also seen as a versatile operator who can be deployed in defence. Robbo, who had Donnelly on the books during his spell in charge at Motherwell, said of the ex-Fulham youngster: 'I've worked with Liam before and he's a really competitive player. 'Technically, he is very good as well and he gives us options in numerous positions. Liam can play anywhere in the back three, he can play at full-back in a four or he can play as a six or an eight in midfield as well. 'So, it gives us a real lot of options in terms of where we can play him. 'He's someone we feel will bring real competition to the squad. We run with a small squad so Liam's versatility could be invaluable through the season. 'He's had injuries in the past that he's over now as he knows how to manage his body. He's a tough competitor and gives us a real physicality as well as quality on the ball.' Beginning his career at Northern Irish Premiership outfit Dungannon Swifts, Donnelly crossed the water to join Fulham. He would go on to have spells at Crawley Town and Hartlepool United before heading north of the border to sign for Motherwell, where he linked up with Robbo, in 2018. Donnelly would spend four years with the Steelmen where he scored 13 goals in 71 appearances. Following his exit from 'Well in 2022, Liam signed for Kilmarnock where he played 91 times in three years and was part of the side that finished fourth in the Premiership in 2023/24 which brought Europa League football to East Ayrshire. Donnelly follows in the footsteps of Killian Phillips, Roland Idowu, Richard King and Jayden Richardson in putting pen to paper in Paisley. The player said: 'I know the manager well and have seen the success of the club the past few years. I want to be a part of that and hopefully we can do similar this season. 'I just need to focus on getting my foot in the door and making sure I'm doing well enough to be in the manager's thoughts for the starting eleven. 'It's a very good setup at the stadium and the training ground. Everyone has been very welcoming.' Donnelly could get his first outing in the black-and-white stripes this Saturday when Saints travel to League Two Dumbarton for their opening pre-season friendly.
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Freed Dunfermline Athletic defender linked with move to Northern Ireland
Freed Dunfermline defender Aaron Comrie could be on his way to Glentoran in the Northern Irish Premiership. The former St Johnstone full-back was one of 14 players who left East End Park at the end of the season. And the 28-year-old is reported to now be in talks with Glentoran about a move to Belfast. Comrie spent six years with Dunfermline after leaving Saints in 2019 and racked up his 200th appearance for the Pars back in January. He has been a dependable presence in the Fifers back line for five campaigns in the Championship and is a League One winner from two years ago. However, with a big shake-up expected at Dunfermline this summer, he was deemed surplus to requirements when the club announced their retained and released list earlier this month. Glentoran finished the season in third place in the NIFL Premiership but lost out to eventual winners Cliftonville in the semi-finals of the play-off for a UEFA Conference League spot. Manager Declan Devine is eager to strengthen his squad after missing out on Europe and has targeted Comrie's experience in his summer recruitment. The Glens' squad already includes Comrie's former Dunfermline and Celtic youth team-mate, Joe Thomson, as well as fellow Scot Liam Burt. Comrie was joined by Rhys Breen, Joe Chalmers, Craig Clay, Michael O'Halloran, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Craig Wighton and David Wotherspoon, as well as six loan players, in being released by the Pars after the end of the season. Wighton has since joined Montrose on a two-year deal after opting to go part-time, whilst Breen has spoken of facing a 'make or break' move following his exit.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Conor McMenamin will be 'new signing' as he closes in on fresh St Mirren deal
The Northern Irish winger joined the Paisley club in 2023 and gaffer Stephen Robinson wants to keep him longer. Stephen Robinson has confirmed Conor McMenamin is close to signing a new deal with St Mirren. The talented winger joined the Buddies in 2023 from Northern Irish Premiership side Glentoran on a two-year deal with the option of a further year. And keeping someone of the 29-year-old's quality at the club was a no-brainer for Saints boss Robinson who says he will be like a 'new signing' following injury problems. Before the season started, McMenamin underwent surgery for a patella tendon injury but was then ruled out for a 'rare issue' affecting his calf/Achilles a few games into his first-team comeback. But now, having returned to action and netting against Rangers last weekend, Robbo says having him and his character is a positive addition to the squad as they prepare to face Aberdeen at the SMiSA Stadium in the Premiership today. Robbo is only missing teenager Evan Mooney but the young forward is back in training following ankle surgery. He said: 'With Conor, we're very close to doing a deal this week so that gives us a boost,' he said at the club's Ralston training ground yesterday. That's like a new signing for us. 'It's been a really tough season for Conor and you see his impact when he is on the pitch. He's been involved, he's scored, he's created the goal against Ross County. That's just fleeting moments of his talent. 'He's a maverick, he's something different that we don't have and haven't had. To get him fully fit and mentally ready to go again over the summer will be a huge boost to us. 'He's a great boy, he's a character around the place. His mindset and attitude have changed over the last year. His work ethic has changed massively and we're hoping to see the fruits and the benefits of that now. 'He's been very, very unfortunate with the injuries – the two injuries have been really strange injuries.' Having gone so long without playing, Robbo praised McMenamin's mental strength to bounce back to fitness. He added: 'It's mentally testing when you're in a treatment room while everybody's out every day and you get to see them for half-an-hour before you're left on your own for two or three hours. 'The mental aspect of football and the mental strength needed to be a professional footballer and deal with all the bad things is huge. We try and help the players here. Conor's shown really strong mentalities. 'He's had down days, of course, when you don't think you're ever getting any better but that was light at the end of the tunnel for him. He is a great boy and keeps us all laughing.'
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic and Rangers star finds new club two months after leaving last team over bitter ‘inappropriate messages' feud
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EX-CELTIC and Rangers youth star has found a new team just two months on from leaving his old side by 'mutual consent'. That was after a bitter feud between player and club which was carried out in public on social media. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 An ex-Rangers star who also featured for Celtic at youth level has found a new club Credit: PA:Press Association 3 The midfielder also represented Scotland up to U21 level Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow 3 Liam Burt left previous club Shamrock Rovers by 'mutual consent' Credit: Sportsfile Liam Burt was a youth teamer at Celtic, before making the rare switch directly to Rangers. He was in the youth side at Ibrox too before going on to make three first-team appearances, then had loan spells at Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic. Burt then sensationally RETURNED to Celtic, but didn't play a minute before moving to the Irish Premier Division with Bohemians. The midfielder then transferred to Shamrock Rovers in 2023, but his spell there ended in February this year and was followed by a social media blast directed at the club's 'appalling and disgraceful' treatment of him during a loan spell with rivals Shelbourne. Burt posted screenshots of WhatsApp messages directed to the club, which said: "Not once I was contacted checking up on how I was or how it was going, not once was I contacted with a well done. "And worst of all, since the season finished I have not been contacted once from you about any plan for me, leaving me in no man's land, not knowing if I was coming or going and mentally challenged from what was happening." But the club hit back, saying in a statement: "Shamrock Rovers F.C. is extremely disappointed by Liam's highly inappropriate messages sent to our management team. "We note that these messages were only posted after the player received his financial settlement from the club in lieu of his mutual cancellation. "We welcome the fact that the player has deleted his comments on social media, however we are reviewing all options available to the club in respect of any recourse we may take in addressing this situation." And Burt has now signed for Glentoran in the Northern Irish Premiership. Will Adam Idah still be at Celtic next season after failing to take Kyogo's jersey The club said: "Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of influential Scottish midfielder Liam Burt on a two-year deal, with the option of a third season. "The 26-year-old becomes the club's first signing of the summer and joins the Glens following the mutual termination of his contract with League of Ireland Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers." Burt added: "I'm absolutely delighted to sign for Glentoran - one of the biggest clubs in Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland. "I've played for big clubs in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, so I know the expectation, pressure and responsibility that come with that and I enjoy that challenge." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
