Eddie Malone Set To Sign For Clyde

Billy Reid has finally got his man! Eddie Malone, the Manager’s No.1 target since he drew up his team-buildings plans in the close season, is joining Clyde from St. Johnstone, with Kevin Fotheringham heading for Perth.

The deal is unlikely to go through in time for tonight’s CIS Cup tie with Airdrie United but the Manager is delighted with the outcome of his extended talks with his opposite number at McDiarmid.

“I’m obviously sorry to see Kevin go, but I think everyone now knows that the only way I can bring people in is to let others go, but I couldn’t be more pleased to have Eddie Malone joining us at Broadwood.

“The time it has taken to close this deal shows that the St. Johnstone people were very reluctant to lose him. I believe this is a great deal for the Club. He wants to play first team football, and most importantly he said all along that he wanted to come to Clyde.

The nineteen year old Edinburgh-born defender is a product of St. Johnstone’s youth development programme, and has already gained a reputation as a skillful and whole-hearted player. He made his first-team debut for Saints towards the end of 2002/03 when he came on as a substitute in a 1-1 home draw against St Mirren, doing well enough to be included in the starting eleven for the remaining two games of that season.

Last season he made five first-team starts and five appearances as a substitute but looked to have played himself into regular first team contention, and lessened his chances of moving to Clyde, with a number of excellent displays in the pre-season friendlies. His new boss remained doggedly determined that first team football for Eddie Malone would be in a Clyde jersey – and so it has proved!