KELTY HEARTS have added to their squad by securing the signing of Dundee United midfielder, Lewis O'Donnell, on loan.

Last week, the 18-year-old arrived at New Central Park on a deal until January, and he made his debut as a late substitute during Saturday's 2-0 win at Montrose.

A product of the Tannadice club's youth academy, O'Donnell was handed his first team debut by Tangerines boss, Jim Goodwin, in their recent pre-season friendly with Carlisle United, and further featured in warm-up games with East Fife and Queen of the South.

United said that those appearances came after he had endured "a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury", and he has now been given the opportunity to impress with Kelty.

"I know his agent really well. I managed to speak to the manager at Dundee United, and I spoke to a few of the senior boys there, and I just thought 'bring him in'," player / boss Michael Tidser told Press Sport.

"He adds a bit of competition. He's a young lad, he needs to learn the game, but I brought him in the other day in training and he's looking good.

"I said right at the very start, I'll always give boys a chance, regardless of whether they're 16 or 36, if I feel they're good enough to go and compliment the squad, or really push to play in the team. I said that to Lewis in the office on Tuesday. I said you're not here just to sit on the bench, you're here to go and push yourself and get in the team. This is the only way you'll get better, and, ultimately, develop as a young man and a young footballer.

"Dundee United were nice about it. They were spot-on in terms of letting him come on loan, so it's down to him now to go and challenge himself in that proper men's environment. We'll give him time to bed in and get used it, but I'm hoping he can play an important part this season as well."

Tidser described O'Donnell as a "ball playing midfielder" who looks to "keep the game ticking over", but can get forward as well.

"He's young, he's got energy, and he's somebody that I would probably try and put a challenge down to in terms of adding goals," Tidser continued.

"As a midfielder, you're playing in that six or eight, you still need to get yourself up and around the box, as well as doing your bit for the team in the middle and defensively.

"He's a good boy; he's a lovely boy as well. He wants to learn, he wants to get better. He's been a good addition to the group, settled in really well, so hopefully over the coming weeks and months, we can get to see more of him, and he starts putting in good performances for the club, which is the most important thing."