Manager Wullie Gibson has today added two new faces to the squad. Goal-keeper Tom Ritchie joins from Aberdeen on a season long loan, while forward Ross Irving makes a return to the Palmerston squad.

Nineteen-year-old, Tom turned professional in 2019 and was in the squad for Aberdeen’s Europa Conference matches last year. Having previously spent time on loan at Huntly, the young stopper signed a contract extension which keeps him at Pittodrie until 2024.

While, 20-year-old local lad Ross has re-joined his home time after spells at Livingston and along the A75 at Stranraer.

Speaking about both players, the Gaffer said “We have been looking for a goal-keeper to compete with Max as it’s healthy to have competition for places. It’s not a slight on young Charlie as he has been doing well and Marsh has been complimentary of him, but we feel he is at an age where he needs to be playing regularly and we think for his own development he would benefit from going out on loan to get experience playing week in week out to stand him in good stead going forward.

In order for that to happen we needed to bring someone in and feel that we are bringing in a good young keeper who Marsh has worked closely with at Aberdeen. He is highly rated and hopefully he will provide competition for Max.

As for Ross, he is someone who I know very well and a player that I feel probably shouldn’t have been let go the last time. He is a good young local boy who has something to offer. He has been working with us during the summer and did well pre-season and in training. So, I’m happy to have brought him back, it’s now about getting him up to speed because with Gavin and Michael being out, he will add a little bit up top”.