Pars in deadline day swoop for Gers duo
Ally McRoberts • Published 1 Feb 2012 16:30
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THE PARS have raided Ibrox in a double swoop they hope will help them beat the drop.
Boss Jim McIntyre has landed full back/midfielder Jordan McMillan (pictured) on an 18-month deal and midfielder Kyle Hutton on loan until the end of the season from Rangers.
Heading out the exit door is centre back John Potter who is now on loan to Queen of the South for the rest of the season.
Neither Jim McIntyre nor any other senior East End contact returned Press Sport's calls to tell fans about the new signings.
McIntyre told the club website he'd tried to get both players before.
Discussing McMillan he said, "I was quite surprised when I found out that Rangers were willing to do a deal.
"The fact that it is a permanent deal is fantastic.
"He is player who is versatile, he can play in the middle of the park or equally he is comfortable at full back.
"He has real tenacity, he is strong in the tackle and is quick, really quick. He is a great option for us and both players are desperate to get a run of games, they want game-time under their belt and show what they can do.
"Kyle has got vision, is a good passer of the ball and at six foot he gives us a bit of presence."
"The board deserve great credit for both signings because it is a difficult time but they have backed me to the hilt. It's a big thank you for that."
It brings the number of new arrivals to four after the signing of goalkeeper Iain Turner on loan from Preston and the deal for midfielder Mark Kerr.
McMillan (23) was one of Rangers' longest-serving players - he even featured in the Blue Heaven BBC Scotland series about Ibrox youngsters in 2003 - but featured just four times for the first team and has made just 30 career appearances after loan spells at Hamilton, Queen of the South and Wrexham.
He made his league debut this season against Motherwell but lack of opportunities have persuaded him to try his luck in Fife.
There is a sell-on clause in the deal.
Hutton has just signed a new deal at Rangers but has been loaned to the Pars for the rest of the season.
He's been capped at under-19 and under-21 level for Scotland and made his debut for Rangers at the start of the 2010-11 season.
Hutton (20) has made 14 appearances for Ally McCoist's men and 12 for Partick Thistle, where he was on loan last season.
The Pars' new arrivals led to Potter's exit from his second spell at East End Park - he rejoined Dunfermline in the summer from St Mirren.
McIntyre said, "I just felt that with the signing of Jordan McMillan that we could allow John to move on.
"I would like to stress just what a fantastic professional John Potter is and I wish him every success at Queens."
With Athletic not in action this weekend after the Scottish Cup knock-out, they'll play a bounce game against Dundee on Friday before attempting to climb off the bottom of the table on Tuesday against Kilmarnock.
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