Former Airdrie star joins Shotts as boss finally lands summer target

Shotts Bon Accord boss John McKeown was happy to see his trialist find the net - and he’s now made him a permanent Hannah Park player.

After defeats to Forth Wanderers and Maybole Juniors left their West of Scotland Football League Conference A title bid in tatters, The Bonny returned to form with a convincing 4-0 win over Bellshill Athletic.

A Danny Burns double helped them on their way with Paul McGeough adding one to the tally. There was also a goal for Murray Loudon, who appeared in the game as a trialist.

The attacker is a product of the Airdrie youth system and was with Shotts’ weekend opponents most recently. It was a player McKeown tried to sign last year and he finally has his man.

He said: “We were well-deserving of our win. Murray is ex-Airdrie and was at Bellshill at the start of the season.

“I tried to get him earlier this season but we weren’t in a position financially for that to happen. He became a free agent and hasn’t played for a few months, but he looked fantastic.

“He was getting a wee bit of stick off their punters who were there! But I suppose he answered them in the right way. He was excellent in the game.”

Shotts are still involved in the WOSFL Cup but their remaining four league matches will be a chance for squad players to show their worth.

It’s an odd position for ex-Wishaw boss McKeown to be in ahead of Saturday’s trip to Johnstone Burgh.

He added: “It is difficult. I have always been involved in meaningful matches at this time of the season, so to not be is quite hard.

“At Wishaw I was going for the title, at Cumnock we fought relegation then went for titles. It’s the first time I’ve been left in limbo as it will take a miracle for the leaders, Arthurlie, to slip up.

“It’s just about giving