Homesbook Factoring Caplan

Billy Gets His Man!

Clyde have signed Alex Burns from Motherwell. The thirty-one year old, who can play either up front or in midfield, has signed a six month loan deal with the Bully Wee. “Toastie” is eligible to take part in Clyde’s Scottish Cup campaign and will go straight into the cup squad for tomorrows’s match with Falkirk.

Billy Reid was delighted with his second capture of the transfer window. “I’m obviously very pleased in getting him to join the club. To be honest I’ve been working on this deal morning, noon and night for the last 12 days. Nobody needs to tell me about Alex’s qualities”.

Alex Burns has in fact played for Motherwell on two occasions. In his first time at the Fir Park club Alex made 74 league appearances scoring 8 times, including on his debut in a 2-2 draw against Celtic on the opening day of the 1993/94 season.

Leaving on a Bosman, he moved to the continent to sign for Dutch side SC Heracles. From there “Toastie” has featured for Southend, Raith Rovers, Livingston, St Mirren and Partick Thistle before heading back to Motherwell.

His most successful time came at Firhill where Alex helped Thistle to promotion to the SPL. By the time he moved on from Maryhill, Burns’ record of 20 goals in 51 starts for the Jags looked mighty impressive indeed.

On expiry of his Partick contract, Terry Butcher was quick to swoop to take Toastie back to Fir Park. While the goals didn’t flow at the same rate it was felt that Alex still contributed to the season enormously. Burns aided the development of some of the younger Well stars considerably when playing alongside them upfront and orchestrated things from the midfield when required.

Alex also chipped in with four league and cup goals last season. His versatility has helped Terry Butcher enormously and it is those skills and experience that Billy Reid will be keen to see transferred to Clyde as the Bully Wee continue their challenge in the First Division.

Prior to Burns arrival, youngsters Alex Walker and Aron Wilford have moved from Clyde to be replaced by the experienced duo of Graeme Jones and Alex Burns. With Aaron Conway set to return to Dundee United, Paul Doyle and David Greenhill remaining on loan at Montrose it is obvious that Billy has been altering the balance of the squad.

Billy Reid explained: “At the start of the season I basically needed numbers in the squad to try and get some points on the board. Now that we have achieved that we aim to develop the team’s position by bringing in some experience”.

Billy discussed further the deal that brought Burns to Clyde, “He is an excellent addition to the squad and the other players will get a boost. Any player moving from an SPL side to a First Division team will always take time to consider it. He is good friends with Gary Bollan and I’m sure that helped but equally Alex wants to get back playing regularly again.

Billy continued: “Originally we considered getting him on a permanent deal for the remainder of the season but it wasn’t possible and therefore we were pleased to confirm this loan arrangement with Motherwell”.

“As I said with the signing of Graeme Jones, any transfer is a gamble but I’m confident that Alex can be a success. He has the skill, it is up to him to show the form that made him the outstanding player in the First Division a couple of seasons ago”.

“However that is it with regard to incoming transfers during this window. There is no more money in the kitty for additions but I’m happy with the squad and our ability to compete in the Division”.