Peter Murphy believes he has signed one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in Scottish football, having added Aidan McAdams to his Annan Athletic squad.
Black and Golds boss Murphy has also worked closely with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers to extend Kyle Bradley’s loan at Galabank until the end of the season.
McAdams, 19, signed for Annan on Tuesday evening after former Workington Reds keeper Jonny Jamieson, who has been struggling with illness, was released a day earlier, briefly leaving Alex Mitchell as the club’s only senior keeper. McAdams crossed the Old Firm divide in 2017, having been on Celtic’s book since the age of eight, before making the controversial switch to the Ibrox Stadium.
Bradley, meanwhile, first joined the Galabankies in September and now is set to stay with the club for the remainder of the campaign.
“As our squad starts to evolve after the opening of the January window, we are delighted to extend Kyle Bradley’s loan until the end of the season, giving Kyle the opportunity to play a number of first-team games to aid his development,” manager Murphy said.
“Kyle has excelled in our midfield and can acquit himself in a number of positions which will prove vital to a squad like ours.
“Our first ‘new’ loan signing is Aidan McAdams, who is a player we have been chasing for a while.
“Aidan is one of the most promising young keepers in the country and has come to Annan to push Alex Mitchell for that coveted starting spot.
"We are really excited about what Aidan can bring to the squad and look forward to him helping us push on in the second-half of the season.”
Murphy’s men made a winning start to the New Year on Saturday as they claimed a 2-0 home win over Elgin City, which leaves them in fourth in the Scottish League Two table and three points clear of City.
Tommy Muir scored both of the goals for Murphy’s men, while Chris McLeish was dismissed for a second yellow card for the Black and Whites.
On the victory, Carlisle United favourite Murphy told Athletic’s website: “I thought Saturday was going to be much tougher, but the way we started the match was excellent.
"I thought the only time they looked to be getting in the game was when our midfield slacked off a bit, but apart from that, I thought we fairly dominated and the way we took our goals was excellent.
"I’m delighted for Tommy because he went through a little spell of games when he wasn’t scoring and he was getting frustrated with himself.
"He’s had a little break and came back with a couple of goals.”
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