Liam Donnelly Becomes St.Mirren’s Fifth Signing of the Summer
St.Mirren have today announced the signing of Northern Irish international Liam Donnelly on a free transfer, following the expiry of his contract at Kilmarnock after a three-year spell. The combative midfielder, who can also play right-back or centre-back, is the fifth signing for St.Mirren this summer already, with Roland Idowu, Killian Phillips, Richard King and Jayden Richardson in the door also. Donnelly has put pen to paper on a two year stay in Paisley, and will be reunited with Buddies manager Stephen Robinson after the pair worked together at Motherwell, who spoke fondly of his latest recruit. “I’ve worked with Liam before and he’s a really competitive player. “Technically, he’s very good as well and he gives us options in numerous positions. Liam can play anywhere in the back three, he can play at full-back in a four, or he can play as a six or an eight in midfield as well. “He’s someone we feel will bring real competition to the squad. We run with a small squad so Liam’s versatility could be invaluable through the season.” The new signing also spoke on his delight to be playing at the SMISA Stadium next season. “I know the manager well and I have seen the success of the club in the past few years. I want to be a part of that and hopefully we can do similar this season. “I just need to focus on getting my foot in the door and making sure I’m doing well enough to be in the manager’s thoughts for the starting eleven.”
Celtic Legend John Clark Passes Away Aged 84
Celtic legend John Clark has today sadly passed away at the age of 84. Clark was part of the iconic ‘Lisbon Lion’ squad, as he started in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Internazionale in May of 1967, ethching his name into Parkhead folklore. He also shares the rarer accolade of playing in every match of the 66/67 season with Tommy Gemmell, as the Glasgow side won every competition they competed in. He would become part of the furniture at Celtic Park, spending thirteen years as a player, some time as reserves coach, five years as assistant manager to former centre-half partner Billy McNeill, before returning as a kitman in 1997, a role he would occupy for 20 years, making him the longest accumulated serving member of staff at the club after Willie Maley. Clark would make four appearances for the Scottish national team, as well a two year spell at Morton, before hanging up his boots and getting into the dugouts of Cowdenbeath, Stranrear and Clyde, but will forever be remembered for his twelves trophies won at Parkhead. Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell shared his feelings for Clark: “John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all club football but did so, along with his great team mates with such grace and humility. “That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants, and John was certainly one of those giants. “John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable.” Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Clark during his first spell, also had time to reflect on his passing: “John’s continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an aspiration to so many players, managers and staff, including myself very much. “To have him with us, as part of the club for so long has been a tremendous privilege for us all, it meant so much to us. Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John made such an important contribution to the club.”
Saints Further Shore Up Defence With Signing of Jayden Richardson
St. Mirren announced their second defensive signing in as many days as Jayden Richardson pens a two-year deal in Paisley. The Englishman, who has played North of the border previously with a spell at Aberdeen, signs from English National League side Boreham Wood, scoring two times and assisting another four from right back in 37 appearances. Richardson has enjoyed loan spells in the EFL for most of his career following his graduation from the Nottingham Forest academy in 2019, and now the 24 year-old will be looking to find a club that he can truly settle at, with the Buddies. “I can’t wait to get in front of the crowd and show what I can do. I can bring energy, pace, power and hopefully that athleticism up and down can get the fans on the edge of their seat. “I know what it’s [Scottish football] like. When I was up here in the past, playing against St.Mirren, we knew it was a tough game no matter what and the fans here were outstanding.” St.Mirren boss Stephen Robinson also had words to say after securing another acquisition for his squad. “Jayden is someone I tried to sign a few seasons ago. “All the attributes are there and it’s up to us to get that quality out of him. I think he will be a really good signing for us.”
St. Mirren Tighten Up Defence With Signing of Jamaican Internationalist
St. Mirren have completed the signing of centre back Richard King from Cavalier FC of the Jamaican Premier League, after a failed attempt to snap up the 23 year-old in January. King signs for the Buddies on a two year deal, with the Paisley side holding the option of one-year extension. The centre half becomes Stephen Robinson’s third signing of the summer, after the club permanently signed former loanees Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu. King will join up with his St. Mirren teammates upon his return from the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Jamaica under Steve McLaren as he looks to add to the 30 caps he has to his name already. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson said: “We had tracked him [King] for a long time and kept up with his progress. He’s quick, he’s strong and he’s a project for us as well as it’s a step up in level. “I had a really good conversation with Richard and the Cavalier owner and we are aligned in our thinking in terms of giving Richard a good platform. “We think Richard will add real competition to the boys we’ve already got and give us another option in that department.”
Aberdeen Bolster Squad With a Double Addition
Aberdeen have announced the signings of two new players ahead of the 2025/26 season, after completing deals for German left back Emmanuel Gyamfi and Australian striker Kusini Yengi. Gyamfi joins from Bundesliga 2 side FC Schalke 04 on a four year contract, whilst Australian international Yengi, who’s younger brother Tete plays for Livingston, joins from English Championship side Portsmouth, having signed a pre-contract with the Scottish Cup winners. Speaking on his new recruits, Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin said: “We were quite specific about the type of profile we had identified to play as a striker for Aberdeen and Kusini has a lot of qualities that we are after. “Emmanuel is a player we have been monitoring for some time. He possesses all the attributes we are looking for in a modern full-back. He’s dynamic and has a great work ethic. “It is important for us to have different profiles of players who can bring us specific strengths to our shape and how we want to play.” The Dons face a gruelling schedule this season, with guaranteed European league phase football on the horizon following their historic Scottish Cup Final victory over holders Celtic, and will be keen to bed their new signings in quickly before their Europa League play-off tie and the start of the domestic campaign.
