Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 17:00
McIntyre completes signings hat-trick for Dunfermline
By Sports editor Simon Harris
Comments (0)
Print Article
PARS boss Jim McIntyre with new signings, from left, Steven Bell, Austin McCann and Graeme Holmes.
Pic by: Dunfermline Press
PARS boss Jim McIntyre was delighted with his hat-trick of new signings this week and there’s more to come.
Press Sport understands the player-boss could add up to FIVE further fresh faces over the summer as he builds a squad to fight for the first division title next season.
It’s certain two or three of them will be strikers to give the gaffer competition for his place with Dundee United’s David Goodwillie linked with the club in recent days.
McIntyre unveiled defender Austin McCann (28) and midfielders Steven Bell (23) and Graeme Holmes (24) as his first three summer signings on Monday.
Bell and McCann finalised moves from Stirling Albion and Notts County respectively after agreeing pre-contract deals earlier in the year.
Like the other two, Holmes has also signed a two-year contract after narrowly failing to help Airdrie United to promotion to the first division following their agonising play-off defeat by Clyde.
“We are delighted to get them here,” McIntyre said.
“Austin is a player I have known from his time in Scotland, he was a kid when I was at Airdrie, he got his move to Hearts and he’s done very well in England.
“Left backs are hard to find, especially ones like Austin who can get up and down the park and have a quality left foot.
“We’ve all seen what Steven Bell can do in this league this season with his play at Stirling Albion.
“He caused us numerous problems and we’ve still to give him a dig for that last goal he scored against us.
"I think it was important that we added a good bit of energy to the team and Steven will give us that with his ability to get up and down the park.
“Graeme also brings energy and he is a very talented footballer with great feet, he can play anywhere across the midfield and he is another boy who is really fit.
“I watched him in the play-offs with Airdrie and he was excellent in a pressure situation where players can sometimes panic on the ball.
“One of his best traits is he is very good on the ball, he never looks to kick it long but always looks to play it.
“He was a kid at Dundee United when I was there and he had ability then but since then I’ve seen him stamp his authority on games.
“He’s a player who can play at a higher level and I’m sure he can do it here.”
McIntyre stressed his desire to bring more energy to the squad and he explained,
“The first division is one of the hardest leagues to get out of.
“The one thing you get from every team in this league is a battle and you must win the battle before you earn the right to play.
“We’ve got some good battlers here already at the club and with the addition of these three it will lift the place.”
Holmes’ arrival has signalled the end of Darren Young’s five-year spell with the club.
Young made 140 starts and scored 11 goals for the Pars, including vital strikes in the Scottish Cup semi-final replay against Inverness and the CIS Cup semi against Livingston, but has now decided to try his luck elsewhere.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Former Pars star Dolan dies at 39