Clyde bring in new faces to help promotion push

Experienced striker John Gemmell has been snapped up from Albion Rovers while defender Scott McMann comes in on a development loan from Hamilton Accies, both until the end of the season.

Clyde have slipped down to fifth in the League 2 table after a disappointing run since the turn of the year.

After winning 3-2 at Annan on Boxing Day, Clyde lost all three games they played in January, the latest being last Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at East Fife.

Ferguson said that Gemmell (31), who has scored over 100 goals in a career which also includes spells at Queen’s Park, Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir, will provide help needed by David Gormley.

He told the club website: “John brings something different to our forward line and he’ll give David Gormley the bit of help he needs.

“He’s very experienced but still at a good age and he was always a handful when we played against him last season.

“We’ve been offered a number of players recently but I didn’t feel like they fitted the bill. John offers something that not many players do, especially at our level.

“He was desperate to come to Clyde and that’s something that I always like when speaking to a player. I’m really excited about him coming in and what he can bring to the team.”

The Bully Wee boss also has high hopes for McMann, a left-sided defender and captain of Accies’ under-20 side.

He said: “I’ve watched Scott a number of times and we’ve been working on the deal for a couple of weeks now. He’s an attack-minded full back who is on the fringes of the first team at Hamilton.

“We get a lot of offers to take players from under-20 level on loan but I am always conscious about them being ready for first team football - Scott is certainly ready though, both physically and in terms of ability.

“He was also really keen to come and play football at Clyde and that’s always an important factor when we are bringing someone in.”

Gemmell and McMann join former Livingston defender Ross Millen and Annan’s Jamie Watson who were also recruited during the transfer window.

However one player who won’t play a part in the title run-in to the end of the season is Chris Mitchell who is leaving for work reasons and made his final appearance for the club at East Fife.

Ferguson admitted: “Chris has been offered a new full-time job and it’s too good an opportunity for him to turn down.”

“I’m disappointed to lose him, but I certainly wasn’t going to stand in his way.”

Clyde have no game this Saturday due to scheduled opponents Annan’s continued involvement in the Scottish Cup.

Their next match will be away to league leaders Elgin City on February 13.