Airdrie United keep Robertson but McKenna is set to go

Jun 24 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

GOALKEEPER Stephen Robertson has decided to stay at Airdrie United but midfielder Stephen McKenna has rejected the club’s contract offer.

Diamonds boss Kenny Black revealed mixed news on the signings front as Robertson yesterday committed himself to New Broomfield for another year.

However, team-mate McKenna won’t be around next season and is currently training with first division Morton in the hope of winning a deal at Cappielow.

Airdrie faced stiff competition for Robertson’s signature from Eircom League outfit Dundalk, managed by former Celtic star Joe Miller.

But the 32-year-old turned down the Republic of Ireland side’s offer in order to help the Diamonds win promotion from the second division.

“It’s great to have Robbo signed up and I am very comfortable with the quality of the keepers we have at this club,” Black told the Advertiser.

“Robbo produced a number of prominent performances and was largely consistent last season, but Lee Hollis also showed us what he can do.

“We want competition for places all over the park and we have that now in the goalkeeping department.”

The manager was disappointed with McKenna’s decision to try his luck elsewhere and said: “I thought he did well last season.

“But he is exercising his right to see what is out there. You never close the door on anything in football but we have to move on now.”

Black is also still waiting for a resolution to the ongoing saga surrounding winger Steven McDougall’s future.

The 23-year-old has been offered a deal and is being paid by the club while Dunfermline Athletic, who agreed a controversial pre-contract terms with him earlier this year, decide whether they are prepared to pay compensation to get their man.

“If he does go to Dunfermline, then he will leave with our best wishes, but I would be happy if he stayed,” added Black.

Meanwhile, the Diamonds squad will be alongside the long arm of the law when they resume pre-season training on Saturday.

The club have fixed up training facilities at Tulliallan Police College near Kincardine for the first ten days of their preparations for the big kick-off.

* AIRDRIE will open their second division championship bid at home to Arbroath on Saturday, August 8.

The Diamonds will be hoping to make a strong start to the campaign before heading to Angus to take on Jim Duffy’s Brechin City a week later.