Donnelly set to sign new deal with Airdrie United

Jun 17 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

BOBBY DONNELLY will today sign a new one-year contract with Airdrie United.

The highly-rated central defender has verbally agreed terms with the Diamonds and will become the latest member of last season’s squad to put pen to paper.

Donnelly’s decision to stay at New Broomfield will be a huge boost to the Diamonds faithful already delighted with the news that midfield grafter Scott McLaughlin is also sticking around.

The ex-Morton man signed on the dotted line on Monday along with Darren Smith.

Promising goalkeeper Lee Hollis is another who will today commit his future to Airdrie as boss Kenny Black’s bolsters his pool in preparation for the second division.

The gaffer told the Advertiser: “I am delighted to get these lads on board and we can now see the squad beginning to take shape.

“I think Bobby has a bright future ahead of him but I also think we are capable of getting a bit more out of him and his performances can get better.

“Lee has proven himself a more than able deputy and it is important to have good back-up in every area of the squad.

“You can play Scott anywhere across midfield although I do feel his best position is in the centre with his forward runs from the middle of the park.

“He has good mobility, a bit of determination and is a winner and we will need more people with that mindset next season to help us in our new division.

“Darren helps me in that he can fill in a number of positions and that will give us options as we run with a tighter pool.”

The manager admitted he is still waiting to hear if contract offers made to Stephen Robertson and Stephen McKenna are to be accepted.

But he revealed that he will now be stepping up his efforts to recruit new strikers following the close-season departures of Simon Lynch, Paul Di Giacomo, Stuart Noble and Stephen Maguire.

Black added: “We have plenty of flexibility at the back but I know the main topic of conversation will be the striking department.

“We are constantly talking to people. We are aware of players who are available and we are trying to widen our net.

“I haven’t made direct offers to anyone yet but we have been scouring the market and seeing what is out there.”

Meanwhile, the club have moved a step closer to finalising their training plans for next season.

The manager has identified the Little Kerse site near Falkirk as being his preferred option ahead of the resumption of pre-season training on Saturday, June 27.

“We have told the players of our plans regarding the training schedule and how we are trying to improve the areas where we do train,” Black said.

“A permanent training base is something a lot of clubs have these days and it is important the players look forward to coming into training every morning.”

l AIRDRIE will play a home pre-season friendly in the build-up to the big kick-off with English League One big guns Norwich City visiting New Broomfield on Saturday, July 18.

Black said: “They are a big club who will be a good test and a different type of opposition for us.”

The Diamonds travel to Kirkcaldy to take on Raith Rovers seven days earlier and have also arranged a match with Hibernian at their training centre near Ormiston.