Former Scotland striker Garry O'Connor helps take Bathgate Thistle youth football training session

Budding footballers were given a rare treat recently when former Hibs and Scotland striker Garry O’Connor helped take a training session.

The youngsters at Bathgate Thistle Blues 2014 were joined by the former pro at Bathgate Academy as he put them through their paces alongside the team’s head coach Kev Reid and coaches David Henney, Glenn McFarlane and Derek McMillan.

O’Connor, who now runs his own football academy since retiring from the game, passed on some tips to the keen players.

Coach McFarlane told the Courier everyone had a great time, saying: “The boys loved it and they were really pleased to have Garry there helping them.

“A few got pictures taken and things signed - it was a really great night and we can’t thank Garry enough for agreeing to come along and help run a session.

“Garry spoke really highly of the players and said there’s plenty there with really good potential. He said he’d be more than happy to come along again.”

He added: “It’s a really good team we’ve got just now and some of the players are starting to get noticed. We’re making the transition from five-a-side to sevens and building the structure around that.”

The club are always on the lookout for new players to enhance their current squad.

For more information, contact them via Facebook at www.facebook.com/BathgateThistleCFC.

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