JOHN POTTER has completed his fourth signing since becoming Kelty Hearts manager by snapping up forward Kyle Doherty.
The 20-year-old, formerly of Albion Rovers, has penned a one-year contract with the New Central Park outfit, and joins defender Lewis Martin, midfielder Brodie Strang, and goalkeeper Liam Campbell in joining the League One newcomers.
Kelty Hearts FC are delighted to announce the signing of striker, Kyle Doherty!
— Kelty Hearts FC 🇱🇻 (@KeltyHeartsFC) July 21, 2022
The 20-year-old joins from Albion Rovers and is available for selection for Saturday’s fixture against Livingston.
Welcome to the club Kyle!https://t.co/LQPUQUjrBL pic.twitter.com/oMKMYh2HGN
Doherty, who spent time on trial with English Football League (EFL) Championship outfit, Queen's Park Rangers, last term, scored eight goals in 35 appearances for the Coatbridge side and featured three times against Kelty.
He will be in the squad for tomorrow's final Premier Sports Cup, Group G fixture at Livingston, and told the Kelty Hearts website: "I'm buzzing to get started and want to get off the mark straight away and do my best."
Potter, who told Press Sport following last weekend's reverse to Albion that he hoped his squad would look different by the time of their League One opener - against FC Edinburgh, next Saturday - said: "He is a player that the club have been looking at for a period of time and we’re delighted that he has chosen Kelty Hearts.
"He will bring good competition to our forward area and is desperate to learn and continue to impress and score goals."
Following the home loss to Albion, Kelty travelled to Championship Cove Rangers on Tuesday and returned with an excellent 3-2 win, thanks to goals from Alfredo Agyeman, Robbie McNab and Nathan Austin.
KHTV MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
— Kelty Hearts FC 🇱🇻 (@KeltyHeartsFC) July 21, 2022
Full(ish) highlights from Tuesdays @PremierSportsTV Cup tie against @CoveRangersFC
🎥 https://t.co/wNlq1U6CoG
KHTV is sponsored by @i_scaff_Ltd pic.twitter.com/FNCLaH2NoC
In those matches, Potter was able to welcome back last season's PFA Scotland League Two Player of the Year, Joe Cardle, but was without Kallum Higginbotham, who picked up a knock in the opening Premier Sports Cup tie with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Kelty have also registered Dougie Hill, who, having left the club at the end of last season with a view to retiring from senior football, has come back in to help Potter on the coaching side, as a player to help them through the Premier Sports Cup, and he was named as a substitute for each of their opening three matches.
When it was suggested that his squad wouldn't look the same by the time the league campaign starts, Potter, speaking after the Albion game, replied: "It won't. Fingers crossed, we'll have players in.
"We've tried; for one reason or another, it's just not happened. But we continue to try every day to get players in and, hopefully, that helps the group that we've got.
"We've registered Dougie. He's obviously helping myself, trains little bits and pieces, but he's just another body to help at the moment.
"Whether he plays lots of games, I don't think so, but he's just there to help us at the moment.
"We want as many players as we can available because we're light on numbers, so it's great to get Joe on the pitch."
One player who has been on the pitch, and impressing, has been Alfredo Agyeman.
Having netted in pre-season against Raith Rovers, he was denied against Albion by goalkeeper Jack Leighfield, pushing a net-bound shot onto the bar, as well as the post.
However, the found the net in the win at Cove, from McNab's pass, and Potter added: "He's been good pre-season, and been good in the last couple of games as well.
"Lots to work on but he's a threat, he gets in good areas, and we're just going to keep demanding that end product from him. We're continually talking to him and working with him; everybody can see the talent he's got."
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