KELTY HEARTS boss Michael Tidser has further strengthened his squad by swooping for a former Greenock Morton team-mate.

The New Central Park club have moved to secure the services of Reece Lyon, who came through the Cappielow outfit's youth system, subject to approval from the Scottish Football Association.

The 23-year-old, who was present for Tuesday night's friendly with Gala Fairydean Rovers, but did not feature, becomes the seventh player brought to the club by Tidser since he was appointed as Kelty's player / boss.

Goalkeeper, Kyle Gourlay, defenders, Adam Corbett and Jamie Walker, and midfielder, Stefan McCluskey, all made their debuts in the 1-1 draw with Lowland League Gala, with another debutant, Ross Cunningham, equalising for the hosts after coming off the bench.

Tiwi Daramola, who signed for the club in January before returning to Bo'ness Athletic on loan for the remainder of last season, also made his first appearance in maroon, but Craig Johnston, who arrived from Montrose, was not involved.

Greenock-born Lyon broke into the Morton side during the 2018/19 campaign, playing alongside his new boss Tidser, and the midfielder went on to make 118 appearances, scoring seven goals.

Last season, however, he was loaned out to League Two Annan Athletic, and made 36 appearances in all competitions for the Galabankies, helping them win promotion to League One after victory in the play-offs against Dumbarton and Clyde.

In an interview with the Greenock Telegraph, Lyon admitted that the last few years had "been tough" at Morton, and felt the manner of his departure, after a nine-year association with them, was "a horrible way to leave".

However, he is now looking to the future with Kelty and, speaking to the club's media channels, he revealed that the opportunity to play under, and alongside, Tidser was a big draw in moving to New Central Park.

READ MORE: Tidser looks on the positive after first Kelty Hearts friendly

"Probably the main reason was the gaffer to be honest," he said on deciding to sign for the club.

"When he phoned me, I liked what he was saying, I liked the way he wanted to play, and his ambitions.

"Now that I've experienced promotion last year, I really want to be part of a side that's winning most weeks. Hopefully I'm coming here to do that.

"I came through at Morton with the gaffer, I played my first season under him. He helped me a lot, so, when he phoned, it was something that really excited me to get back to playing with him.

"Obviously, he's the gaffer as well, but I know he'll be playing as well, which I really enjoyed. I know the way he wants to play, which is the same way I want to play, so I can't wait to get started."

Lyon revealed that Tidser had been in contact as soon as it became clear he was to replace John Potter at the Kelty helm, and continued: "The gaffer phoned me as soon as he knew he was getting the job, a while back.

"I had a few offers elsewhere, and this is the first time I've been in this situation where it's a whole new club for me, as in, go and signed a contract elsewhere.

"Obviously, I've been on loan, but it's a whole new experience, so I just had to take my time. I had a holiday, and I just wanted to enjoy myself for a wee while, so I took my time and made sure I made the right decision. I feel as if, in the end, I have."

This Saturday, Kelty welcome Raith Rovers in a Fife Cup match to New Central Park.

At the conclusion of last season, Dean McKenzie and Andrew Barrowman, who had held the roles of general manager and managing director, and sporting director, respectively, left Kelty to go to Stark's Park as part of a consortium which bought a controlling stake in the Kirkcaldy outfit.

Potter, after one season in charge, also left his role at New Central Park to become technical director with Raith, whose squad features ex-Kelty star, Dylan Easton.

The match kicks off at 2pm.