KELTY HEARTS new boy Jack Milne has revealed that encouraging words from two of his Aberdeen team-mates sold him on the club.

The 19-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, agreed a loan move to New Central Park earlier this month and made his debut as a substitute in a home draw with Airdrieonians.

He has now also been joined at the club by Robbie Leitch, who has arrived on loan from Cove Rangers.

Born in the Granite City, Milne is a product of the Dons' youth academy, which has also reared Scotland under-21 cap Connor Barron and defender Kieran Ngwenya, currently on loan with Raith Rovers.

Both players had temporary spells with Kelty last season, during their title-winning League Two campaign, and Milne said: "The gaffer (Jim Goodwin) just told me that they (Kelty) were interested, and I spoke to Connor Barron, Kieran Ngwenya, who have been here, and it was all positive things.

"It was an easy decision for me to go and get some minutes."

Milne, who spent time on loan at Highland League Brechin City in the first half of last season, signed a new three-year contract at Pittodrie in July, keeping him with the Reds until 2025.

That month, he was handed his first-team debut, in the Viaplay Cup group stages at Peterhead, and has since gone on to make four senior appearances for his boyhood club.

He is looking forward to working with Potter, continuing: "He's just been telling me the way the team wants to play and it suits my style.

"He knows a few of the coaches at Aberdeen, which always helps, and I'm just really looking forward to it.

"I used to play holding midfield, predominantly, and moved back to centre back, so I'm more of a ball-playing centre half – more the modern day – but I can still do the other side.

"I'm a big, tall guy, move quite well, I'm fit, so I think I'll fit in pretty well."

Potter commented: "He was someone I was aware of in the summer and we actually tried to bring him in but Aberdeen wanted to keep him as part of the group.

"He can play a couple of different positions; he's athletic, he's comfortable on the ball, I think he's got goals in him from midfield or some set pieces, and he's got a bit of dig in him, a bit of life, a bit of fight in him.

"He's been a central midfielder for most of his career, and I think Aberdeen see him as a centre back as well, so he's played there for the last six to 12 months.

He's comfortable in both positions, we can use him where we want to use him, and it's up to him to get into the team and stay there. We've made that pretty clear to him.

"He gives us options, he gives us competition, and I think he'll be a good signing for us."

Having made his debut in last weekend's East of Scotland Cup, semi-final loss to Gala Fairydean Rovers, Milne made his league bow for Kelty in yesterday's dramatic League One draw at Montrose.

Kallum Higginbotham's penalty gave Potter's side the lead after 13 minutes, only for Rory McAllister to restore parity with a spot-kick four minutes later.

He then gave Stewart Petrie's side the lead with just 20 minutes on the clock, but Reis Peggie levelled for the visitors in 73 minutes.

Craig Brown, three minutes later, looked to have won it for Montrose, only for Nathan Austin to secure a point with a last minute equaliser.

Joining Milne in Kelty's side was fellow new loanee Milne, who has joined from Cove until the end of the season.

Formerly of Motherwell, Burnley, Falkirk, St Mirren, Queen’s Park and Croatian side, NK Novigrad, Leitch has made 11 appearances for Cove Rangers this season and was apart of their title-winning squad last season.

Speaking to Kelty Hearts TV, Potter said: "Hopefully he can bring goals and assists, we’ve known about him (Robbie) for a long time and it’s one we’ve been looking at for a bit of time.

"We didn’t think it was going to happen, Cove had a change of manager and he was back in the Cove team. It came up over the last few days again and we’re delighted to get it done."