Darren Barr bolsters development squad

Darren Barr has bolstered his Under-20s squad ahead of next week’s Development League West opener against Ayr United with the addition of two new signings.

Former Dumbarton youth Cameron Hayes, 17, is a versatile left sided midfielder who can also play at left-back and featured as trialist in matches against Largs Thistle, Dunoon Amateurs and Greenock Juniors.

Goalkeeper Daniel Farrell, 18, was most recently with Rutherglen Glencairn Under-19s and joins after impressing Barr in the SPFL exit trials and the aforementioned friendlies.

The teenage pair both put pen to paper on deals that run until 1 January 2018, and Barr is pleased to have been able to strengthen his squad in two key areas.

Speaking exclusively to gmfc.net, Barr said: “Cammy and Danny have come in for pre-season and been with us training a couple of weeks now and done really well.

“I knew of Cammy from Dumbarton. He’s a left-sided player, can play left-back or left-mid, and is really energetic, good on the ball, keen and I really think we can work with him.

“Danny was at the exit trials and I spoke to one of the goalkeeping coaches involved there and he had good things to say about him, so we brought him in and did very well. He’s shown himself to be a good goalkeeper.

“I felt we were a little bit weak on the left side and we didn’t have a goalkeeper dedicated to the 20s, so we’ve brought them in for six months to start with. Like all of the players, we’ll work with them to bring them on.”

The Under-20s start their 2017/18 league season with an away match against Ayr United on Tuesday 22 August. Kick-off at Somsert Park is 7.45pm.

Image (main): Jonathan Mitchell

Image (inset): Gary Bradley