Martin confident Archdeacon will shine at Cliftonhill

Feb 4 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

PAUL MARTIN has tipped Motherwell starlet Mark Archdeacon to shine at Cliftonhill.

The Albion Rovers boss has snapped up the 19-year-old striker until the end of the season.

The Fir Park youngster made an instant impact on Saturday when he climbed off the bench to set up Bobby Barr for his goal in Rovers’ 2-0 win over Forfar Athletic.

And Martin is hoping there will be more of the same over the coming months as the Coatbridge part-timers hunt a third division play-off place.

Archdeacon, son of former Celtic star Owen, will be hoping to have done enough to earn a starting slot when Rovers travel to Ochilview to face East Stirling this Saturday.

“Mark is a goalscorer,” said the boss. “I think he showed what a good acquisition he will be when he came on at the weekend.

“He is quick and athletic and suits the type of football we are trying to play here.

“Mark’s contracted to Motherwell until 2011 so they obviously have high hopes for him and I am confident he will do really well for us.”

The arrival of Greenock-born Archdeacon brings Martin’s number of loan signings to 10 for the campaign.

He added: “Every loan player we have at the club now is committed to the club until the end of the season, so we see them as Rovers players.

“We have used the loan system very well this season and we have needed to in order to help the balance and numbers of the squad.”

Two players left Rovers on transfer window deadline day with midfielder Marco Andreoni returning to Dundee United after making five appearances during his loan spell.

And Chris Hughes has been sold to junior football outfit Oakley United. The defender was on loan at the Fife club earlier in the season.

Martin is without the banned Michael McGowan for Saturday’s date with the ‘Shire so Sean Fleming will continue at left-back.