Squad almost set for new season

Jul 4 2012 By David Ogilvie

BINOS boss Greig McDonald says his squad is almost complete after the signing of Kieran McAnespie from Arbroath at the end of last week.

The 32-year-old will fill the left-back slot made vacant when John Crawley was released at the end of last season, although McAnespie played in midfield earlier in his career.

He becomes Stirling’s third new signing of the summer after ex-St Mirren, Forfar and East Stirling forward Bradley Coyne and former St Johnstone, Alloa, Forfar and Brechin defender David McClune.

McDonald said: "I don’t think there will be many more players coming in. We have 23 signed up now and probably only need to add a goalkeeper due to Callum Reidford leaving back in May.

"Sam Filler will compete for the number one jersey with whoever comes in. I have a couple of names in mind so we will invite them to pre-season training and take things from there.

"Other than that, I feel we are fairly well covered in all positions now. You can never say never and if someone crops up who we think could be of benefit then obviously we will look at it but I’m delighted to be in a position that we have virtually a full squad to work with a few weeks before the new season begins.

"Kieran is a good player and is comfortable on the ball. He’s also very good in the air for his height so hopefully he can add a threat at set-pieces. Marc McCulloch knows him well and we are pleased we have managed to bring him to the club. He has had two good seasons with Arbroath and has a lot of experience and that should help the young players we have in the squad."

McAnespie has played for a number of clubs since making his debut for St Johnstone as a teenager against Clydebank way back in February 1997.

He joined Fulham in the summer of 2000 but was unable to make the breakthrough at Craven Cottage and was loaned to Hearts and Bournemouth before linking up with his former St Johnstone gaffer Paul Sturrock at Plymouth.

McAnespie returned to Scotland with Falkirk in 2003 and featured for Ayr, Alloa, Morton, and Dumbarton before dropping out of the senior game. He played amateur football for Milngavie and had a stint in the Juniors with Bellshill before moving to Arbroath two years ago.

McDonald has been working his players hard in pre-season training and they are due to play a closed-door friendly on Saturday as the countdown begins to the first competitive game of the new term, which is a Ramsdens Cup tie away to holders Falkirk on Saturday, July 28.

Albion have fixed up an additional pre-season friendly against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Saturday, July 14, with a 2.30pm kick-off. The Binos were twice thumped 4-0 there last season and will hope for a big improvement this time round. Albion had already lined up games against Strathspey Thistle and Brora Rangers as part of a mini tour of the Highlands on July 20-21.

The office at Forthbank will be open on Saturday between 10am and 1pm to sell season tickets, priced £150 (£100 senior citizens and students, £30 children). Fans buying a season ticket can get the new sky blue away top for £20.